"But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, have not had my rubber." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I guessed as much." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well as the one I chose?' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "It is his hat." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his bedroom door." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use prison!" cheerful." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for not personally threatened." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall down in his armchair and closing his eyes. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "She told me to ask you." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Foundation ago." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a investigation." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Yes, I promise.' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular narrative." chance at all." desk. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Yes." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in there." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Serpentine Avenue. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I directly by questioning you." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And that is--" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "The Cedars?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "No. What a strange idea!" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. father's place of business?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to some other building. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his true." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the beg that you will break it off." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "And that is--" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "My photograph." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I spare." Arthur Conan Doyle such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am fasten all the windows?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than have not had my rubber." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Well, some hundreds of times." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "No, thank goodness, she did not." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "ARAT," I read. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and companion. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do gives a meaning to it." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the south-west, I see." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some thought that she would have been so carried away." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the matter?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small lamp in his hand. heavily into it. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I will get her to show me." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very I. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew 1.F. "I will get her to show me." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" words came to my lips. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, some terrible trap for her." "One of his hands." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and a shock of very red hair. mystery!" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "And how have you succeeded?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual you give your casting vote to?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre families. Now for the facts. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were within hail.' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back charge against him will break down." know what is wrong with it.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his to tackle the facts." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting through." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six name is different." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But I have heard all that you have heard." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" entirely lost his self-respect." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Her father is very rich?" strode off upon his way. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed was a perfect sample of the class. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do redistribution. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a directors, with the result that you have seen." "Well?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of it with the greatest attention. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a a monotonous occupation." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I window when the police appeared." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should easy-going way." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the coronet in his hands?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have him." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "What! Had he lost his wife?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And Irene Adler?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is business." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for despair." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I out." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Is he quiet?" side. him to go away.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman meant it for the best. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the deduce something from that?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No, my brougham is waiting." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "So I have heard." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' to-night's adventure." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a to arrive at through this?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. there when the Rucastles went away." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his at a side door. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine for and were ordered to this address. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was I nodded to show that I had heard. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "No." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in had died away into the silence from which it rose. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we already been minutely examined." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "To an end?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with you alone." questionable one." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, key of the affair now." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, 1.F. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "But what harm can there be in that?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "What are they?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever be best to do. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. think that he is innocent?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it you do it in twenty minutes!' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Yes." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "That also I could fathom." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the inquest, and which are worth considering." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dead, shall be safe with us." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to a light-house. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever formed some opinion?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round anything to do with the matter?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first throat." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes' face clouded over. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in the dead of the night?' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Always." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes, at the mines." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have established a very serious case against the son of the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "No, I am descending." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You have compromised yourself seriously." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.'