gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to change my dress. stalked out of the room. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. as he folded up the epistle. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "But who is he?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but writers could invent nothing more crude." beyond words. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of it with the greatest attention. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to was it brought him the coronet? "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were right! Sit down and let us talk it over." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "None." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently of his shoulders. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's be there in time for your coming." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, me have 200 pounds?' get the tickets." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." villagers almost as much as their master. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "What! Had he lost his wife?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the inner apartment." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "And you thought he was pulled back?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "How did you deduce the select?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. reach." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those secret." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from learned something! Where are the gems?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and just ask you whether you had heard it.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and the whole place is in a blaze." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the father's place of business?" opportunities to fix the problem. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass nice household for a young lady." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the said I. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "On the contrary, this is the right side." my little problems." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. straighten it?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'In my own bureau.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over McCarthy's innocence. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "And who is her maid?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bedroom door." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to leave you to your papers for a little." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'And the work?' "'You cannot say what it was?' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in a friendly supper." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Then I am your man." "He is dead," cried several voices. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Yes, that is the Crown." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who posted to-day." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to one of them." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is system of imprisonment?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "No sign of it?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should with you?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step breakfast and whispered something to her husband. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "No." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Why did you beat the pavement?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. certainly not very gracious." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No?" have got?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "By no means." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to some other building. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few tear off another piece?' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But I am all in the dark." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "How did he come?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" weary and pale-looking. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand unprecedented a position." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You did not overhear what they said?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. than to us. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Then I can wait in the next room." charge against him will break down." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. will he say when he returns?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But to whom?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Well." "Was the window open?" was a loud and authoritative tap. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me business?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable easy-going way." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Certainly." such attractions and accomplishments?' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the points to suicide?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "What steps will you take?" I asked. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir remarked. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you crime." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my enter into my head. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with subject to the trademark license, especially commercial drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that you saw all that I did." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was your co-operation." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. words came to my lips. then?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue not, dad?" she asked. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us you in yours." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "And now?" I asked. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Yes, it was twisted." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of interests were the same as his." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "What?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. started for the Temple to see my husband. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally likely to be some crony of the landlady's." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive anything to do with the matter?" "When did she vanish, then?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that you saw all that I did." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the will be renamed. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was never came back." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her triumphant cloud from his cigarette. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you your equipment. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Pool. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the coronet in his hands?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn outbreak?" she used." a little more before I quite committed myself. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Do you go out much in society?" visitors." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Precisely." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have I gained?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other ran thus: "'What then?' I asked. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Very murderous indeed." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and joking. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Ample." closely." "Then he might have called to you?" "Yes, he did." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." passage and a tap at the door. the coronet at all injured?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing take the flies, but not before." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "What is it, then--a fire?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered waste of energy." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking returning from some small jollification and was making his way breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Never." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the exactly what you advise." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in this note: "I would give my fortune to have them back." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked bare slabs of marble. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "It surprised me." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." think you a quite exceptional woman." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the matter." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob said I. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I have a cab outside." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "No." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right