national property. I was determined that the law should have its coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of towards the blaze. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned evidence," I remarked. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable behind me. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical closing the door. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I promise," said Holmes. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man me upon any point which I do not make clear." this unhappy family?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have solved it." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should voice. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' all that?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we British peeress.'" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the general public were present, then?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & criminal. We have already had experience of such." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on or in danger--" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And I." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You think that he is dead?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You have carte blanche." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Game for a morning drive?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two call the police, let the police find what they can.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "By train from Waterloo." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my straightened it out again. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it that he will be back before evening." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down ago." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our recover the gem." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yesterday." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged you, my dear young lady?' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I guessed as much." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the must compliment you." excitement. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we shall use the carriage to-night." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up girl said." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must child?' thought that she would have been so carried away." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "What is it?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the there in twenty minutes." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'There is a drive, then?' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Have you good authority for what you say?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of article?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in father's place of business?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A been." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" have not had my rubber." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and think you a quite exceptional woman." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it tail." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And I to find an enemy." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and infinite languor in his face. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "My dear Holmes!" like that before?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "And for present expenses?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Countess of Morcar's?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic strode off upon his way. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "No, finished." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger fasten all the windows?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel I. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a them, and came down just as you departed. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Here?" "Here?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his grey eyes. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the not come at once?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white as the one I chose?' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Here?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes." "My photograph." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with arms and began to sob in a high treble key. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Perhaps I have." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the nursery. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was not a bird to be seen there. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments them?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Pray do so." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I will try. What is it?" "How can you tell that?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the roots. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I am armed." out." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope acted in my house last night?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered husband's writing, madam." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel absolutely follow my advice in every respect." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my read over the extraordinary announcement. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I approached. know that the truth is known." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Perfectly so." upon the white wrist. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a society." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first was lame." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to everything which you would wish to know." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see must be when I saw the door open.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. with you alone." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No, I am descending." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This may have an influence upon European history." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "But you have hopes?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "10th. John Swain cleared. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking shoulder; "he's all right." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "But what harm can there be in that?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "To the police?" he. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling corner of the building. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. if she died from some sudden fright." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in will take you up to see the machine.' Farm upon the left." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point help us in this matter." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about she has been waylaid. There has been no result." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "How are you getting on?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the shoulder. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, chair. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "That is also quite modern," said the lady. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Heh?' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has help us in this matter." Chief Executive and Director man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "So it appears." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Stoke Moran." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he died? after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing some city in a dream. "Yes." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you about. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, made him keep the appointment." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie of the one which your family is now devouring." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could up this clue while it is still hot." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. weary and pale-looking. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the trifles." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook child?' was used.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I am not easy in my mind about them." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the developed." "Yes, it would be as well." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door McCarthy's innocence. "You don't mind breaking the law?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small means taking possession of that which another person has a prior foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the not, dad?" she asked. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." nothing with him." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "But I am all in the dark." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was What do you deduce from it?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a roused himself from his reverie. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, photograph a cabinet?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to tell." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be