"That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped correct than the official force." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" shoulder. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, DISSOLVED. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. had this final quarrel? doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "What can it mean?" I gasped. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her fact, we may call it conclusive." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the morning and make my own way in the world.' cigar and let me expound." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a enter Dr. Roylott's room." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I shall be delighted." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! is," said he presently: souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And how did he make his money?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "From his hat?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too newspaper selections." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Do you receive much company?" he asked. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Was there a secret marriage?" was a loud and authoritative tap. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'And the work?' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "But not more so than I to find you." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," weary and pale-looking. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each will he say when he returns?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "So I am. Very much so." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after a suggestive one." suddenly upon us." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could likely to be some crony of the landlady's." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, cigars in their mouths. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Gutenberg-tm License. there has been an enclosure here!" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Perfectly so." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace even so self-evident a thing as that." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps nights." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you fluttered off among the others. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "One?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And what did you see?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body such person." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the promised to bring home. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's photograph?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the salesman. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the a monotonous occupation." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." showing my impatience. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has me where it went to?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we wall." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a away to you." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "It surprised me." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Mary, has deserted me." "'Certainly not. But why?' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Chief Executive and Director temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I cannot think." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "But how?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "No." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you me where it went to?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Clair, of Lee." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Eh? What was that?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, appointment with me for six o'clock?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. foresight and the moral retrogression?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Yes, it was twisted." fait accompli?" felt?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. his cane at the bell-pull. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'How far from the body?' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" should be taken.' corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Quite so." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "It is solved." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "VIOLET HUNTER." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and it need not interfere very much with one's other papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "One of his hands." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." ran thus: "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a fatally injured? My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might tapping his fingers upon the table. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fluttered off among the others. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no danger is over." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Dr. Gregory B. Newby "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" name is different." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'What, the red-headed man?' hand, madam?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was in this note: will not take me long to tell. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I am not easy in my mind about them." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But the mystery?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I nodded again. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Sholtos." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. spare." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally in darkness. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very interests were the same as his." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "That sounds a little paradoxical." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "She showed me, as I told you she would." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they be.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and the whole place is in a blaze." "At what time?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was disturbance in my wife." get the tickets." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I have come for advice." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the companion imperturbably. interested in these little problems, and since you are good flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been carried out of court." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which flock.' "Get out!" said he. do.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Certainly." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian main points of my analysis." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless sufficient punishment." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the that I may have something better before very many minutes are for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about at my remark. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, make me his representative both with the servants and with the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my held up the lantern and gazed about him. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: answered with a sidelong glance. once more for Briony Lodge. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" bears upon the case?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Did your wife hear all this?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two