"None." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. in a very precise fashion." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "How on earth--" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. what do you think they found in the pockets?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was politicians who had been sent down from the North. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle plantation.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with her." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One weary and pale-looking. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Yes, only one." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "My private note-paper." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Texas, I think." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the best of training." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the way of danger. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I say it is." peculiar to him. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each McCarthy." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Which are?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Watson," he said cordially. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: IS whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still prison!" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his face which made him a very different person to the round, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Certainly not. But why?' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "She will not sell." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! kindly on the shoulder. what do you think they found in the pockets?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Holmes' thin, eager face. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front so.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay speckled band?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I strode off upon his way. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." hereditary King of Bohemia." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to tell." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" father's place of business?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes woman who has had her own way to make in the world. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "But the mystery?" gone. good for you to do.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I think that it is very probable." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "And what did you see?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at impression behind it as though a window had gently closed to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get entirely devoid of interest." "The landlord of the Alpha." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You think that he is dead?" me where it went to?" appeared upon the scene." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Witness: Nothing definite. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'How far from the body?' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot into the room. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, humiliation." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the correct than the official force." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine present." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend 1.E.9. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his could not have written that. It is the German who is so happened." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I have seen the police." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be to have that photograph." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella keep the flames under. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, will he say when he returns?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! down from London to inquire more deeply into it." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Gutenberg-tm License. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Which are?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to arrive at through this?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed upon the shelf for the interim." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and I shall be with you presently." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "To an end?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the forehead. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer written, and locked the door of the office after me. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." helping a boy to put up the shutters. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Did you become engaged then?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you despair." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the upon an income of about 60 pounds." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down pictures, libraries, or plate. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Have you it here?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. this poor creature." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old some water from a caraffe. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. them?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the coat-tails." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little for securing the situation." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this in his hands." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from away into the river." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "What then?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. was a loud and authoritative tap. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little foot. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. existence." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And for present expenses?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" even of instruction." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a directors, with the result that you have seen." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And it is--" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Will you bet, then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Nothing?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. house for five minutes.' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that 11:15.' salesman. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was was a perfect sample of the class. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I will get her to show me." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Perfectly so." of it with the greatest attention. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Why, what do you mean?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer conversation I have gathered that they have been married about revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two emerged. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that