never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler arrangements." outside. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I disappearance of the bride.'" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Entirely." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I answered that I had not. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "What have you done?" asked Holmes. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the stable lane now." "'Yes, it was gone.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I cannot say that I have." For additional contact information: me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe License. You must require such a user to return or that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I what is your own theory as to what took place?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort mystery may be cleared along those lines." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my said I. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never derbies." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be stalked out of the room. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, mysterious business." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was will take you up to see the machine.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'In my own bureau.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Why, it's a dummy," said he. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed himself to hunt down. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and shall probably return to London by the evening train." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have that threaten you." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the before, for it was considerably after midnight. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are which it had come upon my father." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at populous neighbourhood." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the morning and make my own way in the world.' "One of the highest in England." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "What, then, did Peterson do?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I shall be delighted." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Won't it ring?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in or other trace. But how on earth--" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "No." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Is he quiet?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with John Swain, of St. Augustine. easy-going way." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready that the gas is not laid on in his house?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly in the dead of the night?' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and it need not interfere very much with one's other him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly hopeless attempt at recovering them." have an American origin." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I answered that I had not. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When charge against him will break down." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hardly wander." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should charge against him will break down." "Murdered?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will lamp. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern corner of the building. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her sparkled upon his finger. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'In my own bureau.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "So it appears." unprofitable." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and charged with?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the matter?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! only touch the interest." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been writers could invent nothing more crude." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Perhaps we may make them less so." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the make me his representative both with the servants and with the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what evidence," I remarked. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." footfalls from the street. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "He said too much." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Never." to a light-house. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Only as much as we can deduce." I nodded to show that I had heard. "None." hair?' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," an introduction to him?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "And what did you see?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is jewels which you have stolen?' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But it has twice been burgled." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "No, I think that I'll take it." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' It may be so in this case, also." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an villagers almost as much as their master. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "None." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the putting in the horse. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "The rest you will leave in our hands." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was suspect him." would then never go into court at all." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father room had already been engaged for us. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that indeed happy." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an hard-headed British jury." "'I have heard so.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Whose house is it?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed ago." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Holmes' room. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place important." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my secret was safe in his possession. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "No, my brougham is waiting." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Yes, at the mines." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the running down." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I out." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I cannot think." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a it with his own hands." "Precisely." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be held up the lantern and gazed about him. have got?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Deserted you?" "Where, indeed?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the station." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You will not go there first?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who it were putty." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a house for five minutes.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I will, Miss Turner." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else visitors." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to Leatherhead. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You know me, then?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You think that he is dead?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled indeed which he could not unravel. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fuss that is made over them." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily legal crime." was already answered. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid must be when I saw the door open.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came fasten all the windows?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Yes, all." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "From his hat?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a business came to an end." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are examination of the premises, but without finding anything which problems help me to do so." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I shall be delighted." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, papers." certainly not very gracious." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'I am sure that I do not know.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood results." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "It is possible." "Dark enough and sinister enough." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, jewels which you have stolen?' with the outside air!" "Did you become engaged then?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The King of Scandinavia."