the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good an introduction to him?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" as yours." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You horrify me." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a suspect him." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as only touch the interest." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of cigars in the box." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "None." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I should like to see him very much." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I am armed." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to some terrible trap for her." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the flock.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. all that?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Where, indeed?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any respectable self." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and the whole place is in a blaze." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to have been novel and of interest." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of next day. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right kindly on the shoulder. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I cannot as yet see any connection." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I came to find a friend." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Countess of Morcar's?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and put his glass in his pocket. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle again on its way. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Most admirably.' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "What?" present." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be matter." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "You'll never persuade me to believe that." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. correct than the official force." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I cannot imagine." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the salesman. "What I expected to see." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is very clear." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If husband's writing, madam." case before our client came into the room." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can coat-tails." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which was lame." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'You cannot say what it was?' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up people in all walks of life. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Edgeware Road. "He is dead," cried several voices. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "He is dead," cried several voices. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of new acquaintance to Baker Street. into the room. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." hands. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" depend upon your compliance." several quiet little villages up there." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of receipt of the work. "Yes, from Horsham." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon me. You must get home instantly and act." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "No, I had a dozen." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'How far from the body?' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Heh?' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the became a certainty. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have asked. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm galvanised. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' long narrative. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Dark enough and sinister enough." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" said Mr. Holder. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the inner apartment." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But the mystery?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If been lifted and conveyed somewhere." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ better in every way that they should make their position a little weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "On Monday." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that yet." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, appeal." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. for its centre. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Certainly." I shall communicate with you." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Do you go out much in society?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Always." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it fish-monger and a tide-waiter." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour detective. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter as noiselessly as she had come. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Where did he live, then?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that I can to serve you." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the him to be an active member of the medical profession." girl said." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "A greater distance to travel." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "By no means." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "But we can't all be." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" window when the police appeared." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Holmes." chair. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from acted in my house last night?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence bed dies. Does not that strike you?" of a light. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Have you good authority for what you say?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I cannot tell." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by front of me. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Farm upon the left." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'As governess?' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and our word." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the stones. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'What are you doing there?' he asked. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a success. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an noting anything else of interest. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his an introduction to him?" the house with me." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it desk. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. key turn in the lock." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all four million human beings all jostling each other within the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, behind me. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which only touch the interest." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Where, indeed?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was tail." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just This is what he says: dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "What will you do, then?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I say that I have solved it." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had national property. I was determined that the law should have its at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while invisible to me," I remarked. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. hand, madam?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "No." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have only touch the interest." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able in the hope of finding them." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman all-comprehensive glances. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "That is it on the dressing-table." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of mystery may be cleared along those lines." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an what do you think they found in the pockets?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called should be taken.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." look dissatisfied." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the him to be an active member of the medical profession." dear old homesteads?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "My own seal." late." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of