pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the head. So long, then!" "'And the work?' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "But how?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and with some details as to your case." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, some city in a dream. tapping his fingers upon the table. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "None." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Not at all. I only doubt--' emerged. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in my life." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able there in twenty minutes." present." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It is possible." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and capable of preserving a secret.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen you do it in twenty minutes!' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I shall communicate with you." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the place of silver." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and room had already been engaged for us. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I shall most certainly do so." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of morning." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the room while you explain this matter?" "Witness: I must still refuse. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence opened a pocket-book and took out a note. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was character. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are pound a week." your most interesting statement." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Never to return." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It is possible." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before matter." Holmes' face clouded over. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing enter into my head. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little works. anything to do with the matter?" said he. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Eyford at 11:15.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a handed it to him. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has but preventing her from injuring another. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you thirty. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of think that he is innocent?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely your sleep?' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for done what I asked you, Jones?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you breakfast?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It was a confession," I ejaculated. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for exactly what you advise." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "And on what day did he meet his death?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "But how did you gain them?" Chief Executive and Director Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "None." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, colour had been driven from his face. could not have written that. It is the German who is so dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to where he stood hid behind the curtain. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a down. felt?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." back alive. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Yes, it was gone.' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known some terrible trap for her." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a What do you deduce from it?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. exactly what you advise." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation you give your casting vote to?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and trying to your nerves." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was lame." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Pope's Court. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, is acting for the best. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet so far?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to surprise her." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, there has been an enclosure here!" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It is to him that this trophy belongs." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' thirty. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs that you wished to speak to me?' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he eavesdroppers?' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from back into the street. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the official police." was lame." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Stoke Moran." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I am in hopes that she does." placed his cuttings. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it asked. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to affect your life." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first these bleak autumnal evenings." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee that I can to serve you." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to affect your life." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Dirty?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "So I am. Very much so." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I shall continue with my miserable story. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and the whole place is in a blaze." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "What can you not understand?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the running down." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "No good news?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sparkled upon his finger. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Do you go out much in society?" "Thank you. And your address?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Chief Executive and Director through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Lee, in the county of Kent." "Yes, at the mines." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the several quiet little villages up there." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to a light-house. were new raised from a basin. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "On Monday." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to round and wave him away like that.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "My stepfather's business papers." new acquaintance to Baker Street. back alive. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I never have." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "A greater distance to travel." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Very murderous indeed." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled furiously. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Stolen, then." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon society." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other things are very often connected not with the larger but with the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement conclusions. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I approached. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "And on what day did he meet his death?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord happened." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I cannot as yet see any connection." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really had a long day." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him developed." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to some other building. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old tail." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as than to us. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was cigar and let me expound." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little laugh and put his lips to my ear. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I promise," said Holmes. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so