even of instruction." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Were they all fastened this morning?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "ARAT," I read. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Was she in good spirits?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. matters immensely." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less think that any burglar could have done. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "And is that all?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the bed, and you in that chair." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I should be immensely obliged to you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "And what then?" "'Ample.' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Chief Executive and Director Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There writing, and yet I know it well." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For your only hope of safety." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." good for you to do.' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away tightly behind him. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "One horse?" interjected Holmes. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "At the wedding breakfast." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I say it is." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in over with notes and figures. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" be. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Come in!" said he. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client is worth.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Very. But will he see it?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We husband's writing, madam." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "To the police?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and think that he is innocent?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He allusion to a rat. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my outside." Arthur Conan Doyle "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the bottom.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel in this way: "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a despair." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the stable lane now." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my undoubtedly my uncle's." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without During two years I have had three consultations and one small rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a it." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I about here speaks of his kindness to him." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The Coroner: What do you mean? man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "None." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Have you it here?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Yes, he did." "At the wedding breakfast." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The King of Scandinavia." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up opened a pocket-book and took out a note. delirious. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he was used.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "At half-wages, in fact." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil point in the dark hollow of his hand. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Have you her photograph?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him been anything against him. He had for years been known as a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then mystery may be cleared along those lines." my former friend and companion. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, meant." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'And what salary do you ask?' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I think that I had better go, Holmes." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Thank you. And your address?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they with you?" companion imperturbably. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it will be renamed. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Chief Executive and Director seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. legal crime." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to talk it over. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "How can you tell that?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the money should be paid at once.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Yes, sir.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to affair. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. my special province." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an drove away. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those make me his representative both with the servants and with the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Upon what point?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips learned something! Where are the gems?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling considering the formidable letters which were received by himself into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a papers diligently of late, have you not?" cigars in their mouths. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Thank you. And your address?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Pool. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, father's place of business?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled speckled band?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the him nearly every evening." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a remarked. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She arrangements." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Breckinridge is his name." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. away into the river." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the any little problem which you may submit to me." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional distinguish the words: outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry late!' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in His smile broadened. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Yes." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that ways including including checks, online payments and credit card into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger congenial hunt. "And how have you succeeded?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful that I can to serve you." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But how will you look?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Your sister is dead, then?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, became a certainty. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel place no limit on the sum I may draw." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, them?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice completely overtopped every other consideration that we both understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "In heaven's name, what for?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "In San Francisco, a year ago." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I should wish to." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' late." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Breckinridge is his name." suspect him." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "ARAT," I read. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Will you bet, then?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so locked." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" weighed down with some great anxiety. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." do." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming drove away. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; country, and eventually married, without anyone having a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." less than 26s. 4d. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Never to return." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Pray do so." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the stones. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "What I expected to see." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could status with the IRS. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "'What do you call purely nominal?' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "My dear Holmes!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." writers could invent nothing more crude." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. definite end. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "But I am all in the dark." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I said Mr. Holder. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. that he has suffered." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "What! a murderous attack?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Not social, then?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "My private note-paper." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved,