"'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the nonsense.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. populous neighbourhood." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "No, I think that I'll take it." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily soul! here is her carriage at the door." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dramatic, in fact." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to his chemical studies. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gone before you can get him to hospital." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went more solid." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Then, as to money?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check leaning back in his chair. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the general public were present, then?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and appointment with me for six o'clock?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You don't mind breaking the law?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and effective." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ashen face. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You have compromised yourself seriously." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'And the work?' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait or in danger--" "It certainly sounds feasible." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Then you may be so with me." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Yes, it was gone.' the room while you explain this matter?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among four million human beings all jostling each other within the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the know all about it," he snarled. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Stolen, then." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and glanced through. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Have you it here?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Stoke Moran?" said he. the little opening for the ventilator is." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your was it brought him the coronet? perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hereditary King of Bohemia." "He is dead," cried several voices. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It is very clear." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "The Cedars?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that I can to serve you." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, have I gained?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary just ask you whether you had heard it.' him. I shall communicate with you." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black delighted to hear it," he said. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the crowd. directors, with the result that you have seen." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps plantation.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you papers diligently of late, have you not?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already his huge brown hands. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the stable lane now." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the morning and make my own way in the world.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in the hope of finding them." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I will do it." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water outside." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried about here speaks of his kindness to him." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "But the mystery?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been at once, for I have only half an hour." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I cannot think." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some just ask you whether you had heard it.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." villagers almost as much as their master. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "An enemy?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to read it out to me." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Absolutely none." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't relief. "None. Neville wrote those words." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "You think that he is dead?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "But we can't all be." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open lids now and glanced across at his visitor. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes, certainly." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. her also." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler asked. everything which you would wish to know." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize bore every mark of being an average commonplace British man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds if I call to-morrow?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Have you good authority for what you say?" "Who was the criminal, then?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "And how in the world did you find them?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. noble correspondent could be. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his as this. Pray let me have the details." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left how narrow had been my escape. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "This concluded the examination of the witness." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Deserted you?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. that I can to serve you." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than name is different." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Pray do so." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry to you." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. back alive. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "What is it?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. taking in every detail of the apartment. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Why serious?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in his power. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Murdered?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the more solid." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not room had already been engaged for us. "Come in!" said he. matter." is now desirous of getting those letters back." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy them?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "By no means." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Then he might have called to you?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the Red-headed League." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Quite sure, dad.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he constraint." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the this Miss Turner." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the coroner's jury." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his cane at the bell-pull. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while touch that coronet?' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked grasp, he hurried from the room. "Dirty?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in carried out of court." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his chamber." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, what I may call a really hard day's work." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I do." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Oh, fresh and glossy." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled gone. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police at my own good fortune. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed conversation I have gathered that they have been married about rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fasten all the windows?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the matter?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." as he folded up the epistle. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into reach." "At what time?" "Nothing?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "By all means." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Where to?' "'What then?' I asked. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Nearly eleven." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years of." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. or other trace. But how on earth--" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm II. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most business." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect