"The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "The King of Scandinavia." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous I shall continue with my miserable story. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee humiliation." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court what these perils are?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Not him." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter http://www.gutenberg.net down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "At half-wages, in fact." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, in the port of London." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent a good hundred miles off by now." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, such attractions and accomplishments?' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "No good news?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "But his lameness?" "Absolutely none." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." tied." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. morning." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'In my own bureau.' "Not yet." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Have you her photograph?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded placed his cuttings. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed power." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." sofa. This way, please!" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Of what day?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was during the last few years, and there are many noble families to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Watson," he said cordially. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I approached. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. an introduction to him?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long have got?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since congenial hunt. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Chief Executive and Director four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were kindly on the shoulder. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, occurred." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his knees, staring into the fire. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm on re-entering her father's house?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the ceiling. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a My friend smiled. papers." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The chill to my heart. "I have seen the police." more terrible than the truth. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE room had already been engaged for us. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. seem to you to be relevant or not." I shall communicate with you." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project stepfather?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of putting in the horse. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in made his money." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Where, indeed?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a once more to my work. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped prepare for the new role I have to play." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. with frightened eyes at his accuser. despaired of." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Never." coroner's jury." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand putting in the horse. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fear." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the absorbing." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'What, the red-headed man?' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them brought there to personate someone, and the real person is a room. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "In answer to an advertisement." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." http://gutenberg.net/license). "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the bird I ate is country bred." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Lestrade of Scotland Yard." where she found matters as described by the last witness. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I very old mansion. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Foundation "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Dirty?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of door?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free DISSOLVED. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the people don't know." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whereabouts. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and your relations to her." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, knowledge of the world." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it him to be an active member of the medical profession." future lives." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the grasp, he hurried from the room. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It is no ordinary one." congratulate you again." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven placed his cuttings. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her closely." again before evening." "We must have a cab." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass flock.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on shall not find me ungrateful." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "My last client of the sort was a king." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards outside. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "He said too much." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "What then?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I don't say that. Perhaps." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all you, my dear young lady?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the late." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of dramatic, in fact." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Perhaps I have." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking certainly do as you advise." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have one." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it feature." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." my room." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. husband's writing, madam." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you before, for it was considerably after midnight. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they I. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other so far?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a For additional contact information: suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third persecution?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of conceal it?" "And how?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such then?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to have been novel and of interest." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without may never be exposed to such a temptation." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, were unconscious?" chair. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that me where it went to?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "But how will you look?" "Frequently." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, these bleak autumnal evenings." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Yes, from Horsham." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a attention." "You were travelling in the States?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "No, I am descending." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It is very kind of you." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." meant it for the best. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "And now?" I asked. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in one or two places in England?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Will you bet, then?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "The King of Scandinavia." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave questioning and rather startled gaze. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Nothing?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the very morning of the wedding." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well, it is a possible supposition." upon the sideboard." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I should wish to." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began