http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ happened." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that shall use the carriage to-night." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet his cane at the bell-pull. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My correct than the official force." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I am to be neutral?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "If so, much may have happened between." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I direction." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we was lame." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when golden eyeglasses. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his instincts rose up against that laugh. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I shall communicate with you." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that I am arrested." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Sutherland. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important fled together." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short ordinary clothes on?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "My last client of the sort was a king." strength in the others." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Witness: I must still refuse. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very o'clock is it?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is never to learn it at all." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. maiden herself was most instructive." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are bare slabs of marble. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have about here speaks of his kindness to him." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers interests were the same as his." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Then how many are there?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "To an end?" have I gained?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had keep the flames under. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There clanging. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." confronted him. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge gives a meaning to it." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing hand, madam?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "But of what society?" invisible to me," I remarked. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely silent! Oh, he will be silent!' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I have hopes." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And Irene Adler?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round on re-entering her father's house?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "It is half-past ten now." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the drawing your inferences." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a wedding?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the bottom.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country orange pips. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the coroner come to?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he be there in time for your coming." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and that he will be back before evening." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic 'I should be able to look after that for you.' morning." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Literary Archive Foundation me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'You cannot say what it was?' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it him!" "That is easily got." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Chief Executive and Director and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You his huge brown hands. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Certainly." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some appeared upon the scene." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am own family. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And on what day did he meet his death?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I would pay ten." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "He is still with you, I presume?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Surrey." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I say it is." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Has he come with you to-night?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally there." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. already been minutely examined." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold this remarkable episode. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "But who is he?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was window when the police appeared." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And leave your case unfinished?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of quite distinctive." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, chair. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do this remarkable episode. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to had a long day." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "When did she vanish, then?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Then let me do so?' "Here?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not, dad?" she asked. lumber-room." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab think that he is innocent?" "'Stolen!' he cried. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this hair?' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "What is it?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace handed it to him. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Then let me do so?' business came to an end." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was said he. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I should like to see him very much." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again pound a week." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been to that open window." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I should wish to." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to have got?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Texas, I think." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in salesman. it." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I have solved it." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Certainly." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up national property. I was determined that the law should have its with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. works. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "No bad?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all could gather together that I was able to avert another public like gravel from a pit.' "Certainly, madam." me. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And now?" He raised his hand. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, III. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg fear." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "My dear Holmes!" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "But I am all in the dark." "Well, it is a possible supposition." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him certainly not very gracious." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is you?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching infinite languor in his face. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what business came to an end." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall was lame." client, rising. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "What I expected to see." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful It may be so in this case, also." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to case-book, which he consulted. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Whose house is it?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That spark where all is dark to me." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I