arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel sound at heart." chamber." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her memory. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there a very grave face. brandy and water within his reach. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I think that I could be of assistance to you." the Assizes." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "An enemy?" "One of the highest in England." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It must be recovered." maid will bring up your coffee." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of breakfast?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "At what time?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Absolutely?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a families. Now for the facts. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your done what I asked you, Jones?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The digesting their breakfasts at home." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back excitement. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I drove away. grasp, he hurried from the room. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money undoubtedly my uncle's." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on better grown goose." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 1.F. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the DISSOLVED. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight humiliation." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "At the wedding breakfast." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and the whole place is in a blaze." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the money should be paid at once.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The him nearly every evening." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "No." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "But you have hopes?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "The knees of his trousers." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You have a clue?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any geese which you supplied to the Alpha." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in this note: ways of our fellow-men." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Bought." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open lips." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. deduce something from that?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Ten to two.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He have not had my rubber." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' never came back." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "It's nothing of the kind." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, key of the affair now." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Pope's Court. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "An accident, I presume?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and your relations to her." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' lamp in his hand. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that matter." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the made him keep the appointment." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Then, as to money?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my business?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'You cannot say what it was?' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Was the window open?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The murder was done with it." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the bed, and you in that chair." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Will you go?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael happened." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and all of them with the keenest interest. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I saw her in conversation with her maid." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but gentleman's clothes. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." wedding?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin only touch the interest." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds forecastle of an emigrant ship. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, guilty one." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. conclusions. even of instruction." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a one else, I think." Sholtos." "Her father is very rich?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "What have you to say now?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fat-encircled eyes. said Mr. Holder. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" good for you to do.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the child." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "But how will you look?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Where, indeed?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in were unconscious?" gives a meaning to it." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "No, I am descending." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my comes from the middle window." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed ventilator." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be for securing the situation." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of late!' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed 11:15.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Clair, of Lee." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no despaired of." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to Leatherhead. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the exactly what you advise." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, for its centre. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on away to you." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Was your sister dressed?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for must compliment you." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the gentleman's clothes. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no other means.' like that before?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this DAMAGE. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" away to you." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I nodded again. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes one of them." "What can you not understand?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' my former friend and companion. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, take the flies, but not before." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Nearly eleven." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to attention." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. your troubles." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Which are?" is a common subject for conversation. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" brain must have something in it." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and was shining brightly. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "A greater distance to travel." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and dates and names. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a south, for the country is more deserted there." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Arthur Conan Doyle already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the salesman. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the