arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your there has been an enclosure here!" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "No." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'And the work?' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. my special province." constraint." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and the whole place is in a blaze." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Then you may be so with me." neither fascinating nor artistic." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his face. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have established a very serious case against the son of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Watson," he said cordially. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "How did you trace it, then?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that you saw all that I did." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Yes, only one." "None." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over present." companion quietly. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to a light-house. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I fear not." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the individual and becomes the badge of a society." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some national property. I was determined that the law should have its who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want some mystery and the punishment of some crime." father's place of business?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Witness: It was. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a row." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the strength." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to have been novel and of interest." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Have you good authority for what you say?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of very old mansion. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fact, we may call it conclusive." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we with frightened eyes at his accuser. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as the one I chose?' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such within hail.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "What office?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "When did it break out?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "My last client of the sort was a king." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Indeed! Whose, then?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It is very kind of you." "Game for a morning drive?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "By train from Waterloo." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the very morning of the wedding." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my about. beyond words. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I have come for advice." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Yes, they were peculiar boots." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the client, rising. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for enough to aid us in our search." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates presume?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in darkness. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Never.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "On the contrary, this is the right side." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass derbies." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Cross for the Continent." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel done what I asked you, Jones?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. indeed happy." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. nights." and no precautions can guard against." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to never came back." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round My friend smiled. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "By train from Waterloo." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'It is locked up,' I answered. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Leave Paddington by the 11:15." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fait accompli?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Arthur Conan Doyle A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that you saw all that I did." of the one which your family is now devouring." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always You want to know what became of those geese?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "But your client--" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be was a lad." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are The telegram which we eventually received came late one night considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet and I shall be with you presently." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was it brought him the coronet? "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best of them has the shutters up.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Why, what do you mean?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "What steps will you take?" I asked. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. go--none." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it until night should bring an explanation. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish your most interesting statement." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Precisely so. But how--" "How did you deduce the select?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I would give my fortune to have them back." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." IS fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his have accepted such a situation. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to undoubtedly my uncle's." third from London." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in populous neighbourhood." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. unprofitable." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Why, what do you mean?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Why did you beat the pavement?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was past. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'I shall certainly be there.' the south-west, I see." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in emerged. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and the colonel ushered me in. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is a common subject for conversation. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an him. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second on re-entering her father's house?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. telegram would bring me down to your help." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised hour?' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the not as remarkable as your advertisement." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sake, don't!" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the directors, with the result that you have seen." have established a very serious case against the son of the "No." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Certainly." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. British peeress.'" served to weaken the effect. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "By no means." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had individual and becomes the badge of a society." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Quite so." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. sake, don't!" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Perhaps we may make them less so." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Will you go?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a at my remark. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "A greater distance to travel." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend speckled band?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Holmes, the busybody!" "Look there!" said he. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'Yes, it was gone.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the possible that we could bring him back to her? Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of awkward doing business with an alias." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. electronic works with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to go into your room and bar your shutters?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest footfalls from the street. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of death." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of your young ladies.' charged with?" discontent upon his features. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Then you may entirely rely on me." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the station." tear off another piece?' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City fatally injured? "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her recover the gem." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon