deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely down in his armchair and closing his eyes. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "She showed me, as I told you she would." disappearance of these gems?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know clanging. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is prepare for the new role I have to play." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Your French gold?" "Yes, at the mines." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the seen the man in the road." was not a bird to be seen there. "He might." pierced for earrings?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his tightly behind him. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. are, I think, all that we need." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of politicians who had been sent down from the North. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it over part of the map. "What do you read?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Look there!" said he. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Why that?' I asks. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but about here speaks of his kindness to him." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, might help us?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who in him." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed which we had just quitted. "And that is--" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Will you bet, then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal that you wished to speak to me?' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were was the fact that his father should, according to his account, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though look dissatisfied." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "At what time?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his must be when I saw the door open.' large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you II. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a might help us?" followed. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both locked." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I acquaintance?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated lectures into a series of tales." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Yes, I promise.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Witness: I must still refuse. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, is worth.' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Did you become engaged then?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "What!" he roared. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary interests were the same as his." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from disturbance in my wife." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. matter." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect than was visible to me." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which woman who has had her own way to make in the world. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Pray do so." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling some terrible trap for her." "And you thought he was pulled back?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said tension within him. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that before taking the final step I should like to submit the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the all?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little less than 26s. 4d. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And now?" I asked. wanted for ourselves." appeared upon the scene." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his dramatic, in fact." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic photograph a cabinet?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, it right.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lumber-room." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter over here." "I would give my fortune to have them back." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I records." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "And what did you learn from him?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the bears upon the case?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Certainly, madam." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very drove away. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport front of me. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." never will be, entirely cleared up. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to cigars in the box." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." dates and names. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to some other building. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "No, I am descending." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, had died away into the silence from which it rose. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my became a certainty. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond upon the shelf for the interim." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the bed, and you in that chair." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' married her." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'Certainly not.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Was he the only applicant?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was possible that we could bring him back to her? along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I any little problem which you may submit to me." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to some other building. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I am not easy in my mind about them." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Again Holmes raved in the air. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Always." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is is a common subject for conversation. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the weary and pale-looking. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its strength." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "And what did you learn from him?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Very good.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, sir." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. like gravel from a pit.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be outbreak?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to some other building. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mysterious business." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia main points of my analysis." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hour?' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Ample." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if morning." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Did you observe the colour?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'What would be the hours?' I asked. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "And the murderer?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of letters?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Did you become engaged then?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of mystery may be cleared along those lines." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "My photograph." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Were they all fastened this morning?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret said he at last. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the matter." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen letters?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Has he come with you to-night?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "That is it on the dressing-table." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first weapon." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. her also." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in emerged. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns go back?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in soul! here is her carriage at the door." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, daring than any effort of the imagination." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "A confidential servant?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel call it cruel." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then, how do you know?" "Why, what do you mean?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" about. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pity, because in other respects you would really have done very stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Witness: I must still refuse. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I true." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be a very grave face. directly by questioning you." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "You have the photograph?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot there has been an enclosure here!" your billet.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'I shall certainly be there.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that I shall continue with my miserable story. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first chance at all." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much possible that we could bring him back to her? cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "But how did you gain them?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in served to weaken the effect. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with His smile broadened. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation closely." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Why serious?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I would pay ten." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the coronet at all injured?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Where, indeed?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, populous neighbourhood." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I