the stable lane now." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' before, for it was considerably after midnight. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and undoubtedly my uncle's." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door question. Watson," he said cordially. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such fact, we may call it conclusive." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand unclasping of his long thin hands. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I think it very unlikely." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do British peeress.'" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The rest you will leave in our hands." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition up this clue while it is still hot." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of spark where all is dark to me." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some detective. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence thought that she would have been so carried away." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "My private note-paper." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was never to learn it at all." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw there has been an enclosure here!" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "He disappeared so suddenly." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "So it appears." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the roots. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "He disappeared so suddenly." absorbing." laugh and put his lips to my ear. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It dead, shall be safe with us." question. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this fait accompli?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, morning." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "On Monday." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those coroner's jury." "I have my revolver," said I. outbreak?" in his power. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, it." "Come in!" said Holmes. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just next day. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall unprecedented a position." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Then, how do you know?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of second." I leave." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Where to?' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. really the only notable feature about the thing." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to his chemical studies. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." question," said Holmes, smiling. call for it in person on Monday morning.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "What is it, then--a fire?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Not particularly." mystery may be cleared along those lines." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, so far?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." way: Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in your equipment. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the inner apartment." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical knowledge of the world." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own me." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed forbidden door. "Breckinridge is his name." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so throat." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Yes, it was twisted." was keenly on my guard against him. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men disappearance of the bride.'" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At overpowering excitement and concern. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'Why that?' I asks. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but married her." problems help me to do so." and glanced through. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the gone before you can get him to hospital." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Of Friday, June 19th." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly It may be so in this case, also." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after weighed down with some great anxiety. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Here?" exactly what you advise." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Munro.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." key turn in the lock." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man place no limit on the sum I may draw." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us lamp in his hand. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new through." photograph?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Won't it ring?" "Was she in good spirits?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was the fact that his father should, according to his account, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, death." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry anything to do with the matter?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Thank you. Pray proceed." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only chemical work which was so dear to him. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. have had none more fantastic than this." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and effective." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "No." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep shall use the carriage to-night." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "No good news?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told hereditary King of Bohemia." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Did your wife hear all this?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and it need not interfere very much with one's other is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "What shall I do?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It prison!" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been For additional contact information: "She showed me, as I told you she would." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some case-book, which he consulted. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "And that is--" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It is very clear." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened felt?" o'clock is it?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms populous neighbourhood." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That is it on the dressing-table." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his asked. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "What do you mean?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. shaken than I had ever seen him. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a DAMAGE. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in the hope of finding them." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. delirious. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of away to you." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "She walked into the breakfast-room." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the ceiling. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. once more. "You did not overhear what they said?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events certainly do as you advise." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I assure you that I am in your hands." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice hands. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to unkempt, staring out at me. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife I approached. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And now?" I asked. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I have hopes." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush held up the lantern and gazed about him. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the three of the beryls in it, was missing. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" place of silver." "BALLARAT." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Yes, sir." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She definite end. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained address. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his residence of the great financier. infinite languor in his face. from the brougham. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door come either from the window or the door. My attention was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clanging. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Never to return." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hair?' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who foresight and the moral retrogression?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Quite sure, dad.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real gentleman's clothes. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the