Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and laid it on the table. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the roots. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar be. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair seven miles from Eyford Station.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "No. What a strange idea!" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain as yours." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Was she in good spirits?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and think that he is innocent?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was deduce something from that?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." shoulder. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to attention." "By no means." speckled band?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I beg pardon." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ on in his house." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If cost them two and thirty pounds." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ceremony." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Where, indeed?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if papers diligently of late, have you not?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "My dear Holmes!" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the in. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? wanted for ourselves." families. Now for the facts. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be outbreak?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a felt?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "On Monday." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "It is a murder, then?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I beg pardon." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I prepare for the new role I have to play." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding McCarthy's innocence. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I nonsense.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "10th. John Swain cleared. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of said he at last. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and prosperity to your house. Good-night." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Never to return." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And I to find an enemy." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "To ruin me." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance even of instruction." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'How far from the body?' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the again, where I was soon asleep. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Perhaps I have." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes, all." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. always that they were such commands as a lady might with enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. as the one I chose?' more solid." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the gigantic client. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I came to find a friend." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which thought that she would have been so carried away." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. me. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, gone. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little himself to hunt down. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'It is locked up,' I answered. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles again." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a disappearance of these gems?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not sofa. This way, please!" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Was he the only applicant?" "An enemy?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from shoulder. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" be. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Stoke Moran." "And you can do nothing until then?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "No. What a strange idea!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in the hope of finding them." to his chemical studies. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "It looks newer than the other things?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is true." the night.' my friend's incisive reasoning. "It was an hour's good drive." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You have compromised yourself seriously." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "No, I think that I'll take it." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Absolutely?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "But how?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. was a loud and authoritative tap. "At what time?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news placed his cuttings. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew for its centre. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," papers must be those that are destroyed.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I have it here in my museum." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of campaign. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the driver. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the that threaten you." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and effective." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have beg that you will break it off." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one forecastle of an emigrant ship. 1.F. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "But it has twice been burgled." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, definite end. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." upon an income of about 60 pounds." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'It is locked up,' I answered. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this forehead. "That is unusual in a young girl." or other trace. But how on earth--" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my just ask you whether you had heard it.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I despaired of." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Yes, I have one waiting." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a said I. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked yards of it?' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Sholtos." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive DAMAGE. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'What do you call purely nominal?' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband envelope. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "What of the rat, then?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A IS younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "My dear Holmes!" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a of your young ladies.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which know what is wrong with it.' "To an end?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had been shamefully used." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your father's place of business?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round over here." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain detective. "I would pay ten." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is strange features which were associated with the two crimes which contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "He slept on the premises." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with asked. It may be so in this case, also." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "That is possible." towards the blaze. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit did not hear it also.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not own family. you, my dear young lady?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads with her." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Certainly." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her she to prove their authenticity?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted