contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the devil!" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "None. Neville wrote those words." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to-morrow." once more. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. than to us. felt?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Yes.' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was call it cruel." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, 1.E.9. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and here." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "But how will you look?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sparkled upon his finger. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the other lovers by making love himself." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he down. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over woven round him. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in vanished into the darkness. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if said Mr. Holder. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "But his left-handedness." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I comes from the middle window." o'clock is it?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently good-night and bustled off upon her way. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his matter over." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I will, Miss Turner." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too peculiar to him. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I throat." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" guilty one." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I don't believe it." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed roused himself from his reverie. as noiselessly as she had come. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It is half-past ten now." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "And the murderer?" Holmes' room. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and wait." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to affect your life." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less danger is over." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very gives a meaning to it." "That also I could fathom." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand which we had just quitted. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be it with his own hands." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" companion quietly. you do it in twenty minutes!' his cane at the bell-pull. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a there." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that murdered man." "I cannot say that I have." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "She told me to ask you." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I disappearance of these gems?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first his forehead." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem second window is the one that I jumped from." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "How did you trace it, then?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is you in yours." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a few minutes he said that it would be all right. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." success. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, brandy and water within his reach. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. habit of advancing money.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "And how in the world did you find them?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Not I." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "And how?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I say it is." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "You will not go there first?" "Entirely." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, washing it down with a long draught of water. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two upon a handsome competence. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would whether it answered to the description of any of their claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an child?' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problems help me to do so." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Ha! you find it so?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the bed, and you in that chair." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. be. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of your own bird, so if you wish--" "No?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a be sorry for having acted so harshly." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to arrive at through this?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable me, and I could not think that his explanation of the despaired of." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Then you may be so with me." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." morning." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "And sit in the dark?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hardly wander." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." his fortune, and I went back to pa. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if impression behind it as though a window had gently closed have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to joking. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, events, Mr. Windibank!" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson works. See paragraph 1.E below. to-night." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Married! When?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have open." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Texas, I think." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a hardly wander." "And how did he make his money?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to them, and came down just as you departed. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Never." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from think that any burglar could have done. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "But not more so than I to find you." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in prepare for the new role I have to play." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. been with you?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the house with me." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Thank you. And your address?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of tail." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. at once, for I have only half an hour." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical was keenly on my guard against him. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his again before evening." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together are, and they are waiting for us." the driver. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Dr. Becher's." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have there!' "No." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," your most interesting statement." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "She will not sell." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate of Fenchurch Street." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and have this put in the evening papers." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in But Holmes shook his head gravely. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, manager. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and no precautions can guard against." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction whatever might befall. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon eavesdroppers?' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place or other trace. But how on earth--" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the morning and make my own way in the world.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached had died away into the silence from which it rose. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation