outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "And did you observe any change in her then?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Then the page we have seen--" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Clair, of Lee." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet hour?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." rose-bushes. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "But his lameness?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the go from here to the Strand." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I am about to be married." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set other means.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency go back?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Upon what point?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Cross for the Continent." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Here?" "No, I had a dozen." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "The murder was done with it." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate His smile broadened. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his telegram would bring me down to your help." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Nothing." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I know where it is." fait accompli?" derbies." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my head. So long, then!" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Eyford." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Precisely." was a lad." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Why serious?" photograph?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp respectable self." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "No good news?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "My own seal." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and roused himself from his reverie. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "If I can be of use." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling roused himself from his reverie. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Mary, has deserted me." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a matter over." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that tell me that you intended to go into harness." occurred." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of the one which your family is now devouring." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than about here speaks of his kindness to him." me. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I cannot say that I have." and have this put in the evening papers." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "The landlord of the Alpha." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "If I can be of use." once more to my work. Pool. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, province." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; footfalls from the street. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see asked. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Yes." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I don't say that. Perhaps." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock four million human beings all jostling each other within the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for house for five minutes.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Yes, certainly." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance miles off. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Why did you pick him?" "'Yes, it was gone.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of there." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Pray do so." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, charge against him will break down." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not place no limit on the sum I may draw." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are way: this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "That also I could fathom." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not infinite languor in his face. London for the present?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Not particularly." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the it." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole arrested. You then--" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away wedding?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "From his hat?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Then I can wait in the next room." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange constraint." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny ourselves in the office." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who experiences." in this way: reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of you." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and your relations to her." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike golden eyeglasses. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "That is easily got." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes about here speaks of his kindness to him." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste writing, and yet I know it well." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its nice household for a young lady." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This empty. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, at the mines." bell. Holmes whistled. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Very truly yours, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his it were putty." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "A call for help, you thought?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this intrusion of other matters." assist you in forming an opinion." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Doctor, of the paper and the date." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Where, then, is my wife?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wall." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "We must have a cab." "No bad?" less than 26s. 4d. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and wait." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular unprecedented a position." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I came to find a friend." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you south, for the country is more deserted there." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "That is unusual in a young girl." fait accompli?" "How about poison?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the them present such singular features as the strange train of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low became a certainty. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Farm upon the left." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, disappearance of these gems?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been must be when I saw the door open.' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying back to my heart. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was once confined in the cab my mission was practically shoulder. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "What do you mean?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Leadenhall Street--and--" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage himself to tell his story. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Stoke Moran." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "There is the writing." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Yes?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly golden eyeglasses. "Where, indeed?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his fortune, and I went back to pa. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, matter." like gravel from a pit.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is possible." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which sound at heart." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at