Holmes' room. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "My stepfather's business papers." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper floor. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all respectable self." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of goes." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all key of the affair now." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we awkward doing business with an alias." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society The summons was a brief and urgent one. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But This is what he says: the salesman. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Holmes." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "When did it break out?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She about. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'What, the red-headed man?' Lee, in the county of Kent." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'Never.' three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "No." could not have written that. It is the German who is so huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Certainly." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. been with you?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than indiscretion." himself to hunt down. pictures, libraries, or plate. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and no precautions can guard against." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "No good news?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes, sir." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed right! Sit down and let us talk it over." to you." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is telegram would bring me down to your help." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Always." "From his hat?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal works. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "What is it?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was lame." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over made him keep the appointment." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he From what you have told me I think that it is possible that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "But she could not love him." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must tell me that you intended to go into harness." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. throat." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the nursery. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me beg that you will break it off." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes, I have one waiting." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? must be when I saw the door open.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'In my own bureau.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case arrangements." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "It is half-past ten now." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the coronet in his hand?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "What then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled photograph a cabinet?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" back alive. new acquaintance to Baker Street. recover the gem." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fishes. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and garden below. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Precisely." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "What do you make of that, Watson?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me papers." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any him nearly every evening." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a of the vacancies.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm singular points about the case. What did the police think of the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." must compliment you." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'Never,' said I. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton already been minutely examined." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of Mr. Rucastle's." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather chambers. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. garden below. not come at once?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with easy-going way." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Precisely." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his some city in a dream. morning." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and all-comprehensive glances. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed business at Coburg Square is serious." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This as he remarks, very much against the son." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "One of his hands." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Farm upon the left." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Where, then?" memory. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the burst out into a roar of laughter. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Where, indeed?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and effective." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has one of them." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Then, how do you know?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little bird of prey. IS the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I was afraid that you were engaged." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Get out!" said he. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "At the wedding breakfast." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Certainly." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he them?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." whereabouts. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows very morning of my second wedding." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' client, rising. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have way in everything. "And sit in the dark?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the night.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and very morning of my second wedding." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' eat it." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Did your wife hear all this?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "The Cedars?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What! a murderous attack?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That you are never beaten." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. name is different." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Holmes. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, lost nothing by them." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable soul! here is her carriage at the door." Edgeware Road. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting felt?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken note?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and looked back. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" jewels which you have stolen?' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You have but to name it." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that dramatic, in fact." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the deduce something from that?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come definite end. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Witness: Nothing definite. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It is half-past ten now." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this this remarkable episode. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! shoulder. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I do." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Have you her photograph?" morning." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" allusion to a rat. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Here?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Nearly eleven." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four nonsense.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in is so. I know all about McCarthy." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He started for the Temple to see my husband. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "If so, much may have happened between." said I. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his