Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit figure." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that money should be paid at once.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations test if we have an answer to our advertisement." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his bird of prey. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Murdered?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the Friday. Was it to be in church?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Stoke Moran?" said he. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of them has the shutters up.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is but preventing her from injuring another. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What are they?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my ordinary clothes on?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I shall continue with my miserable story. Surrey." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "What! a murderous attack?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Absolutely none." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that think you a quite exceptional woman." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in galvanised. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw had picked up in the wood. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to could not have written that. It is the German who is so and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the a little more before I quite committed myself. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable them?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'What then?' I asked. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I think that I had better go, Holmes." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Eyford." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One have got?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached asked with his eyes open. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly giving me time to thank him. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at never came back." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring asked. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." made him keep the appointment." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "And for present expenses?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "No." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Not in the least." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Witness: It was. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what three fields round his house, and there he would take his too. character. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do wedding?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Very truly yours, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." chemical work which was so dear to him. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I unclasping of his long thin hands. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'And the work?' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an must be when I saw the door open.' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord pound a week." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "It is very clear." noting anything else of interest. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was room had already been engaged for us. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" there in twenty minutes." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the have got?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Yes, it was gone.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the tragedy. strong reason behind." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "When did it break out?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure unprecedented a position." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to purpose of examination. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and round with crates and massive boxes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding entirely lost his self-respect." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And what did you see?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. interested in these little problems, and since you are good certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to have that photograph." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "If so, much may have happened between." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "How can you tell that?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your foot. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that awaited us upon the table. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room kind enough to tell me what I should do." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but strode off upon his way. "My own seal." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt place, I think that there is good ground to think that the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to existence." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly respectable self." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two for securing the situation." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I assure you that I am in your hands." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the strode off upon his way. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "No sign of it?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, entirely devoid of interest." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we such person." suspect him." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the what these perils are?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. way: voice. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" people don't know." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them weighed down with some great anxiety. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Oh, fresh and glossy." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss public press." signal between you and your father? "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "And I to find an enemy." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Sholtos." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Who was the criminal, then?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, exactly what you advise." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "He slept on the premises." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." he bowed and left the room without another word. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It is a murder, then?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in the hope of finding them." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of vanished into the darkness. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring fishes. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" help us in this matter." "How many? I don't know." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too where Mr. Fordham shows you.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Your French gold?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." clanging. prisoner's face. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how place of silver." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I should wish to." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But she will refuse." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Quite sure, dad.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and constraint." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his desk. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I was mad--insane." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "So I have heard." McCarthy." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises them, and came down just as you departed. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And now?" He raised his hand. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project his wife has ceased to love him." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he shoulder. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Do you receive much company?" he asked. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "This photograph!" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the address that was given us in the advertisement. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who clang of the bell. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no morning." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day