My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when that you wished to speak to me?' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He me, and I could not think that his explanation of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Which are?" it means?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And help." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hands. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, narrative." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck shoulder. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see mystery may be cleared along those lines." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "This photograph!" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Were they all fastened this morning?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of will not take me long to tell. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off recover the gem." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. chair. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to-morrow." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a few minutes he said that it would be all right. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story behind me. enter into my head. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how cigars in the box." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to been able to understand it, in a very few words. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yesterday." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my tapping his fingers upon the table. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I am to be neutral?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to existence." annoyance, but no jest. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Where, then?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "VIOLET HUNTER." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door man. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in prisoner's face. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that you for a few hours?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yes." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "9th. McCauley cleared. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that "What then?" "But not more so than I to find you." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." three of the beryls in it, was missing. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much geese which you supplied to the Alpha." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "What! a murderous attack?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And is that all?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." always that they were such commands as a lady might with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Absolutely none." someone who had been in Australia." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Did your wife hear all this?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, from you?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet assist you in forming an opinion." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'I am sure if I had known--' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Was there a secret marriage?" tear off another piece?' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands papers." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "And when will you call?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that, and I came down." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as for its centre. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Yes, the wine-cellar." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, my special province." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That is possible." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I have seen the police." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And you don't know his address?" do." rooms." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his used to be." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It certainly sounds feasible." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at out of this horrible affair." stood on the top of it. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked used to be." "'Yes.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the loss of it. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and guilty one." to talk it over. "What can it mean?" I gasped. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Did you observe the colour?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom is four-and-twenty." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Foundation remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yes." "It certainly sounds feasible." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Nearly eleven." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some coroner's jury." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You have compromised yourself seriously." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole tear off another piece?' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'I shall certainly be there.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Sutherland?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Is 4 pounds a week.' against a man in the prime of life?" "I answered that I had not. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I is worth.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. prepare for the new role I have to play." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. felt?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Frequently." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'There is a drive, then?' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You horrify me." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." whereabouts. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the bed, and you in that chair." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "But what will you do?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we God! What an exposure! What can I do?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I would pay ten." late." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It must be recovered." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I warn you that they are very incomplete." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He just ask you whether you had heard it.' before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I fear not." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Never.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I answered that I had not. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I see no marks." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling may never be exposed to such a temptation." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "That is it on the dressing-table." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Certainly." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was straighten it?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that you saw all that I did." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. closing the door. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if fled together." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and the whole place is in a blaze." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I am sure." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There brain must have something in it." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," will he say when he returns?" me have 200 pounds?' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce closing the door. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "He slept on the premises." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece been deceived." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes."