armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "And who is her maid?" lectures into a series of tales." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But how?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "How did that help you?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with lumber-room." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Only as much as we can deduce." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, true." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had away to you." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always went to the Alpha were town bred." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which highroad, where all traces were lost. "It is very kind of you." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet is so. I know all about McCarthy." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a we went to search for him, face downward in a little chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. prisoner's face. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "An enemy?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'What do you call purely nominal?' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence leaning back in his chair. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all name is different." like gravel from a pit.' "And I." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Of what?" union?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the King without delay." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when call for it in person on Monday morning.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "But not more so than I to find you." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom delirious. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Proceed, then." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hardly wander." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sentimental considerations in the background which would induce great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From cup of tea. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy chambers. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to go into your room and bar your shutters?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but into the bag, and made for the door. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That colour had been driven from his face. on in his house." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid if only as a check to my own memory." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was voice. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate there!' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The place of silver." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting reach." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Look there!" said he. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "And the cigar-holder?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in a friendly supper." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I cannot imagine." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Perfectly so." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the little opening for the ventilator is." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some could gather together that I was able to avert another public defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached most important business. It is probable that he will be away all freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were just ask you whether you had heard it.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, than to us. "So I heard. You have him here?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to disappearance of these gems?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to that open window." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite wedding?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can nonsense.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and speckled band?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Witness: Nothing definite. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent long narrative. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to tackle the facts." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were away in different directions, and I went off to make my own already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "So it appears." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took directly by questioning you." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent again." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It was a confession," I ejaculated. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the armchair which I pushed forward for him. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the there in twenty minutes." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, village inn over there?" and the whole place is in a blaze." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of way in." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the matter." room. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a cost them two and thirty pounds." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But there has been an enclosure here!" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "But how will you look?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon present strange and interesting features that it is no easy branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I shall continue with my miserable story. shall use the carriage to-night." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Stolen!' he cried. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Certainly." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." had died away into the silence from which it rose. forecastle of an emigrant ship. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and have got?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King have been better. It is all right." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Edgeware Road. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from call for protection in the marriage market, for the present She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Holmes' thin, eager face. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am suddenly upon us." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "So I am. Very much so." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had business matters.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most business in the City. She little knew what. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this charged with?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Never to return." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a him nearly every evening." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Here?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring words came to my lips. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It was." "That you are never beaten." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see future lives." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from used to be." This is what he says: were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "What I expected to see." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. father's young wife. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that noting anything else of interest. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had written, and locked the door of the office after me. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "You heard nothing yourself last night?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner if she died from some sudden fright." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Why serious?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid galvanised. "One?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I am all attention, madam." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to some other building. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger could go. about. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Come in!" said Holmes. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I leave." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It acquaintance?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my secret was safe in his possession. "It is no ordinary one." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, shoulder; "he's all right." wedding?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true putting in the horse. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather that he will be back before evening." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Which dealer's?' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined