"They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates His name is Francis Prosper." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "About a month then." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had question you as to those details which seem to me to be most slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Thank you. And your address?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I know where it is." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, present." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, less than 26s. 4d. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you signal between you and your father? as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Never." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa tapping his fingers upon the table. "And when will you call?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "That was it, sir." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might his face. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the occupations.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with His name is Francis Prosper." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's all?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "No, I am descending." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal to-night's adventure." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hereditary King of Bohemia." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Why did you pick him?" security.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Literary Archive Foundation hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The records." morning." wife's character?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been writers could invent nothing more crude." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'Most admirably.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a letters?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came in his power. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Why did you beat the pavement?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De politicians who had been sent down from the North. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Lee, in the county of Kent." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said have I gained?" became a certainty. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "And what then?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the stones. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that there was nothing in it, after all." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon yet." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there locked." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Holmes' thin, eager face. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Then I do not see the point." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" be.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Have you it here?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" floor. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a my special province." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to there is a decided draught." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer hands. and no precautions can guard against." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. one's self under obligations.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite in him." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Did you become engaged then?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Then I do not see the point." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "We were both in the photograph." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Is he quiet?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Project Gutenberg-tm works. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "No. What a strange idea!" and the church but not where the lady lived." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done as the one I chose?' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "But how?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under three fields round his house, and there he would take his said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." corner of the building. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'I am sure if I had known--' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "No, my brougham is waiting." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your October 9, 1890. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not them, and came down just as you departed. interested in these little problems, and since you are good I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. is worth.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical over part of the map. "What do you read?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the if only as a check to my own memory." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his pound a week." "But it has twice been burgled." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Ha! you find it so?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: interests were the same as his." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and own family. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable bonnet, and went out." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an stepfather?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has tail." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that strong and stiff." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did congratulate you again." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have daring than any effort of the imagination." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near upon the sideboard." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of receipt of the work. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness delighted to hear it," he said. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens pictures, libraries, or plate. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "By no means." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they is entirely a question of barometric pressure." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What The telegram which we eventually received came late one night hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I came to find a friend." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would matter." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. rose-bushes. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes, only one." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I answered that I had not. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the before, for it was considerably after midnight. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And what did you learn from him?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'I have heard so.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then I shall certainly come." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "What do you mean?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "You were travelling in the States?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that he has suffered." British peeress.'" hurried by. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the driver. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly not, dad?" she asked. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Imitated." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I will, Miss Turner." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Witness: Nothing definite. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. like gravel from a pit.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Has he come with you to-night?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "The King of Scandinavia." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." yet." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some promised to bring home. arrested. You then--" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness is a common subject for conversation. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, salesman. Doctor, of the paper and the date." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was at my remark. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the burst out into a roar of laughter. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." enter into my head. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not even so self-evident a thing as that." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, strength of mind to control. fluttered off among the others. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed me upon any point which I do not make clear." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I have my revolver," said I. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would awkward doing business with an alias." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how you give your casting vote to?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there salesman. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I be. "What shall I do?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the look upon these things in a different way." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining matters immensely." astonishment. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "And Irene Adler?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Holmes' thin, eager face. "Did you observe the colour?"