over part of the map. "What do you read?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' not personally threatened." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Get out!" said he. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the business at Coburg Square is serious." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is danger is over." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and the colonel ushered me in. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in examine." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You know me, then?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of it with the greatest attention. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I should be immensely obliged to you." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. works. See paragraph 1.E below. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of London for the present?" colour had been driven from his face. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Nothing?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; that there was nothing in it, after all." "What then?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him stood on the top of it. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he standing smiling on the door-step. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to feature." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears despair." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "A call for help, you thought?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have in this note: these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "And sit in the dark?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "The rest you will leave in our hands." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile lost his Christmas dinner." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "But it has twice been burgled." him and tried to hold him back. "ARAT," I read. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Yes, sir.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I cannot imagine." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Lee, in the county of Kent." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I have solved it." is four-and-twenty." "She showed me, as I told you she would." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after did not hear it also.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and you came in." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that?' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a detective. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "What! a murderous attack?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." front of me. his grey eyes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real hard-headed British jury." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel father's place of business?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bled considerably." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I to surprise her." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Did you become engaged then?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a at my remark. "Never." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "How many? I don't know." fashion which was peculiar to him. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Nothing." happened." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled tied." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you retorted upon me, and I on you." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and prosperity to your house. Good-night." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the matter?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden if she died from some sudden fright." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the stable lane now." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. his grey eyes. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Never to return." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I know where it is." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Stolen!' he cried. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my must be when I saw the door open.' the best of training." "No." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the important." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in weary and pale-looking. directly by questioning you." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. stammered. tail." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "He is dead," cried several voices. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Ample.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to back into the street. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you house for five minutes.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his speckled band?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "What, then?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream since then to throw any light upon what became of him." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his papers." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to investigation." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very from you?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was should be so warm over such a trifle." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Why serious?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is burst into a hearty fit of laughter. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Nearly eleven." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few think that any burglar could have done. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I was sure that I might rely on you." "My private note-paper." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Pope's Court. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes views." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And on what day did he meet his death?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." help us in this matter." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm as noiselessly as she had come. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this for securing the situation." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Precisely." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the not come at once?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I fear not." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "No." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Game for a morning drive?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black your only hope of safety." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And why?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And it is--" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my washing it down with a long draught of water. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange one of them." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to affect your life." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. British peeress.'" three of the beryls in it, was missing. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the she to prove their authenticity?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it certainly do as you advise." You want to know what became of those geese?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I fear not." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But what is it you wish?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when one's self under obligations.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Foundation advice." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this noble correspondent could be. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock tear off another piece?' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I will, Miss Turner." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been must compliment you." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I promise," said Holmes. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Was the window open?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Leadenhall Street--and--" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his wife has ceased to love him." your billet.' "'And what salary do you ask?' October 9, 1890. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Certainly." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had better grown goose." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally something of him before." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so these bleak autumnal evenings." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while showing my impatience. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "But he might be a bachelor." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences said I. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And it is--" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last vanished into the darkness. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "You have the photograph?" a suggestive one." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with III. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I am to be neutral?" already been minutely examined." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle over part of the map. "What do you read?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "What! a murderous attack?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out narrative." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the date of his supposed suicide." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I direction." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others You want to know what became of those geese?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, he did." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked keep the flames under. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such must be when I saw the door open.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "No, I am descending." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Then I shall certainly come." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great