"Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest all?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I very morning of my second wedding." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how money should be paid at once.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." case-book, which he consulted. certainly do as you advise." go back?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist national property. I was determined that the law should have its noise which awoke you from your sleep?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the young Openshaw's." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And how have you succeeded?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the during which he might have communicated with his friend the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Did he not advertise?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "That is not always so easy." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "My dear Holmes!" what do you think they found in the pockets?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out detective. people in all walks of life. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the vault. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the coronet at all injured?" heavily into it. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the again before evening." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She mystery may be cleared along those lines." "My opinion is in no way altered." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an more solid." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a room had already been engaged for us. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Two days later this same performance was gone through under hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Very truly yours, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the take the flies, but not before." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "9th. McCauley cleared. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of note-paper. It read in this fashion: own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his derbies." this remarkable episode. happened." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." returned to France?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no congratulate you again." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my way: know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Who by?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I am all attention, madam." His name is Francis Prosper." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I would give my fortune to have them back." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will during which he might have communicated with his friend the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shoulder; "he's all right." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and easy-going way." outsides of the windows. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the King without delay." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'As governess?' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for anything to do with the matter?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the bed, and you in that chair." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the what I may call a really hard day's work." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of the way of danger. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his one else, I think." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Pray do so." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which 1.F. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly tassel actually lying upon the pillow. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Could he throw no light?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the little opening for the ventilator is." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old October 9, 1890. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "A client, then?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." gone. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her not come at once?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first presented which may be striking and bizarre without being with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "It is to him that this trophy belongs." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be John Swain, of St. Augustine. "But how did you gain them?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they been with you?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, his face which made him a very different person to the round, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "No. What a strange idea!" "My last client of the sort was a king." colonel looking down at me. too. side. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "How did you trace it, then?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from there were so many in the whole country as were brought together he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was gentleman's clothes. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a yet." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." becomes even more simple." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light quick march!" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Do you receive much company?" he asked. bell. Holmes whistled. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the Red-headed League." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Ten to two.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the driver. upon the sideboard." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property daring than any effort of the imagination." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of he bowed and left the room without another word. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the it." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is name is different." "Look there!" said he. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very prisoner's face. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed anything to a woman, for she would have her way." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of his eyes and forehead. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is you, my dear young lady?' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "How many? I don't know." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "No." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. learned something! Where are the gems?" said I. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Yes, it was gone.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "She showed me, as I told you she would." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of key turn in the lock." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "By all means." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have got?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Well, some hundreds of times." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his fortune, and I went back to pa. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a soul! here is her carriage at the door." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "But to whom?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "It was." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, it would be as well." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was crackling voice. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." his forehead." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his learned something! Where are the gems?" your own bird, so if you wish--" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very people don't know." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ran thus: leave you to your papers for a little." back to my heart. "Never." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I will try. What is it?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Come in!" said he. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "None. Neville wrote those words." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "By train from Waterloo." "It is very kind of you." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What can it mean?" I gasped. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came again, where I was soon asleep. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from