"No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker salesman. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "My last client of the sort was a king." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice confronted him. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice during which he might have communicated with his friend the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for suspect him." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." cigar and let me expound." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the best of training." "'And what salary do you ask?' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, telegram would bring me down to your help." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say little adventures." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of drove away. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any chair. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in a very precise fashion." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving that there was nothing in it, after all." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with London for the present?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His evidence," I remarked. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. is a common subject for conversation. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking as noiselessly as she had come. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of the vacancies.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "It missed him, then?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not developed." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no is so. I know all about McCarthy." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of not fit the lock." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for London for the present?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You have the photograph?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such cigar and let me expound." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable tapping his fingers upon the table. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not examine." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in one or two places in England?' "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' obstinate." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Do you receive much company?" he asked. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "How can you tell that?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Do you go out much in society?" do.' the window, rose as we entered. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "No legal papers or certificates?" "None. Neville wrote those words." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last shadow pass over his face as I spoke. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other me where it went to?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the instincts rose up against that laugh. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." away to you." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close that he has suffered." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire friend's singular character. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "No, distinctly professional." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert conceal it?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up never came back." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me or in danger--" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger know what is wrong with it.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Absolutely?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. thin legs towards the fire. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in away into the river." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Imitated." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I nodded to show that I had heard. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah third from London." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." strong and stiff." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the me." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" legal crime." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "He disappeared so suddenly." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with seem to you to be relevant or not." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do The note was undated, and without either signature or address. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been may never be exposed to such a temptation." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably because she had spent so short a time in this country that she must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Munro.' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of both be extremely obliged.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I power." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Pray tell us what has happened to you." was a perfect sample of the class. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I nodded to show that I had heard. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the running down." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and a shock of very red hair. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses companion. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work voice. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'What do you call purely nominal?' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such over part of the map. "What do you read?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. him." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "What do you make of that, Watson?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are meanly of me." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the morning." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "And now?" I asked. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they frequently gained my first real insight into the character of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the his eyes and forehead. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And why?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No good news?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very that I can to serve you." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lips." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me presented which may be striking and bizarre without being more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting been shamefully used." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes, the wine-cellar." coroner's jury." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point hardly wander." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed other lovers by making love himself." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the you want, then?' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must obstinate." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was once confined in the cab my mission was practically farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." so far?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Is purely nominal.' "And is that all?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Very truly yours, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." night.' said he. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, telegram would bring me down to your help." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lips." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall up this clue while it is still hot." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office your equipment. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that he has suffered." I think that I could be of assistance to you." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "This concluded the examination of the witness." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Just look it up, then." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw matter." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I shall most certainly do so." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Literary Archive Foundation danger is over." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been said I. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a