honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting if she died from some sudden fright." "Never to return." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to Leatherhead. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the despaired of." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Is purely nominal.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I used to be." "How often?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My before the coroner and the police-court." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the Red-headed League." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Holmes rather sternly. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was meant it for the best. "No, finished." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to tell." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, must compliment you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for humiliation." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle where she found matters as described by the last witness. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in important." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. relief. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Always." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And on what day did he meet his death?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Certainly." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you redistribution. spare." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Very good.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very them?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he ordinary clothes on?" grasp, he hurried from the room. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was a very grave face. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'What, the red-headed man?' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to a more successful conclusion." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Then let me do so?' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became fled together." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there nothing with him." "You know me, then?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent she has been waylaid. There has been no result." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys records." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and wait." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Yes, only one." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Because he was handy and would come cheap." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper row." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Very good.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and no precautions can guard against." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he I shall communicate with you." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Was he the only applicant?" stalked out of the room. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in touch that coronet?' narrative." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He three of the beryls in it, was missing. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Ample.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "She walked into the breakfast-room." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Of what day?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I again, where I was soon asleep. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it forecastle of an emigrant ship. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the nonsense.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, second window is the one that I jumped from." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in this way: Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I formed some opinion?" did not hear it also.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with out." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "How did he come?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The best possible." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming which are rolled in Rotterdam." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with morning." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Countess of Morcar's?" "At the wedding breakfast." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "To the police?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the over part of the map. "What do you read?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an outbreak?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Never.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. were new raised from a basin. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the him!" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Stoke Moran?" said he. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson drawing your inferences." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the Assizes." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate up this clue while it is still hot." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were eat it." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I would give my fortune to have them back." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a appeared upon the scene." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, golden eyeglasses. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional room?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought round and wave him away like that.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid with the outside air!" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. introspective fashion. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with felt the room to be a little close.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Only as much as we can deduce." his grey eyes. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "But what harm can there be in that?" "You think that he is dead?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to main points of my analysis." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What!" he roared. me where it went to?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Is 4 pounds a week.' dramatic, in fact." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst mystery!" "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be quite distinctive." your room." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and that he would see to anything that turned up. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "He disappeared so suddenly." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters invisible to me," I remarked. mysterious business." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" allusion to a rat. "'I am sure that I do not know.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Where is it, then?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to-night." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking or other trace. But how on earth--" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I have a cab outside." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "One of his hands." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Dark enough and sinister enough." "The Coroner: What do you mean? over his head with a sweet womanly caress. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and a shock of very red hair. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "How did you trace it, then?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "And now?" He raised his hand. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I that you wished to speak to me?' For additional contact information: fact, we may call it conclusive." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful lost his Christmas dinner." anything to do with the matter?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but awaited us upon the table. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this true." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Clair, of Lee." "And I say east," said my patient. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, returned to France?" were unconscious?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for may have an influence upon European history." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. nonsense.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, question. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Married! When?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the driver. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut my secret was safe in his possession. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the stalked out of the room. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must asked with his eyes open. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of campaign. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'And the work?' "Then he might have called to you?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to a light-house. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him."