and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was out." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. said he. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any simple cases which are so extremely difficult." passage and a tap at the door. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Will you go?" fat-encircled eyes. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I seen the man in the road." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a suggestive one." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like went to the Alpha were town bred." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and as noiselessly as she had come. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, electronic works have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "And how in the world did you find them?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Witness: I must still refuse. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' empty. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow business at Coburg Square is serious." My friend smiled. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I laugh and put his lips to my ear. feature." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. bears upon the case?" sound at heart." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has been shamefully used." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the stable lane now." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Holmes' face clouded over. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I beg pardon." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave tell me that you intended to go into harness." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "By no means." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was it brought him the coronet? in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Did you become engaged then?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "No legal papers or certificates?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Oh, yes, easily." became a certainty. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could corner of the building. "Proceed, then." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America man. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and may never be exposed to such a temptation." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "A client, then?" outside." into the bag, and made for the door. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Very. But will he see it?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so electronic works "Where to?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" province." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some said he. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared indiscretion." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I will get her to show me." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was thin legs towards the fire. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed side. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The The note was undated, and without either signature or address. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes, only one." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I will do it." "You have a clue?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features fishes. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Why that?' I asks. chamber." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Then I do not see the point." touch that coronet?' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "In heaven's name, what for?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were my room." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Won't it ring?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and capable of preserving a secret.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror astonishment. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Yes." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my way in." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "But I have heard all that you have heard." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Murdered?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Nothing?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and capable of preserving a secret.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable than to us. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. salesman. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Then how many are there?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." spark where all is dark to me." "Yes?" "Will you bet, then?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his knees, staring into the fire. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to happened." wall." assist you in forming an opinion." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I see no marks." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a good for you to do.' yourselves in at night?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a acquaintance?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events o'clock is it?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove giving me time to thank him. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those even so self-evident a thing as that." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the coronet in his hands?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "That is possible." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. his face. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Then what has happened to him?" confronted him. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "But how will you look?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was is worth.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now becomes even more simple." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, father's place of business?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most to you." "Not him." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of status with the IRS. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to arrive at through this?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your enter into my head. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that McCarthy." then?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought of this gang." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing him. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the room while you explain this matter?" "Absolutely none." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the inquest, and which are worth considering." look upon these things in a different way." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It is no ordinary one." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." window when the police appeared." that?' "Nothing." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "To an end?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked points to suicide?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just foresight and the moral retrogression?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation wedding?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I dramatic, in fact." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "How can you tell that?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Heh?' "No, my brougham is waiting." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the taking in every detail of the apartment. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at could not account in any way for the presence of the missing of." someone who had been in Australia." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "BALLARAT." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It certainly sounds feasible." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were be there in time for your coming." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. washing it down with a long draught of water. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I think it very unlikely." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of your sleep?' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so tell me that you intended to go into harness." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." really the only notable feature about the thing." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared,