"Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the stable lane now." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the roots. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "But who is he?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which over here." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the little opening for the ventilator is." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's shoulder; "he's all right." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But what is it you wish?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was companion. business at Coburg Square is serious." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, events than those which have happened in my own family." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'I am sure if I had known--' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Eyford." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to remarked. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on lumber-room." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my never came back." that he has suffered." Henry Baker is a member." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the stable lane now." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. whereabouts. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and the whole place is in a blaze." brain must have something in it." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to tell." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home it." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" occupations.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fire. You quite follow me?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying sparkled upon his finger. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly gbnewby@pglaf.org train from Paddington which would bring you there at about partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders ago." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." was shining brightly. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a ready to-morrow?' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole bonnet, and went out." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to tell." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to promised to bring home. "But what harm can there be in that?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "But who is he?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were very old mansion. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which point in the dark hollow of his hand. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You were travelling in the States?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." to his chemical studies. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a invisible to me," I remarked. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Then I do not see the point." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a soul! here is her carriage at the door." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was not fit the lock." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sooner or later she must fall a victim. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to six. Come in!" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she of this gang." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one right! Sit down and let us talk it over." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless strength in the others." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in back to my heart. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday business." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not front of me. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "By train from Waterloo." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "In what way?" asked Holmes. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must mysterious end." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one has little to do with my story." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which me. "Entirely." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Holmes. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." amused." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was hurried by. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'In my own bureau.' "Why? What do you mean?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since lips." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A my little problems." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a you in your example." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to some other building. highroad, where all traces were lost. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "And from a noble client?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from characteristics, but those are the more obvious." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Chief Executive and Director I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Clair, of Lee." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and looked back. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the bed, and you in that chair." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "But the mystery?" "Then how many are there?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of campaign. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, said I. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had again on its way. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. walking." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Yes." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "No. What a strange idea!" "I was sure that I might rely on you." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "And now?" He raised his hand. copied or distributed: of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and clanging. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were congenial hunt. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Ah!" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three conduct the inquiry." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'I am sure if I had known--' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "What will you do, then?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Ten will be early enough." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the matter." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "That's no good." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new third from London." you do it in twenty minutes!' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Will you go?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You saw the ventilator, too?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the on re-entering her father's house?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "How do you know, then?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious drawing your inferences." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over it." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Yes, all." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Were they all fastened this morning?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she it right.' "But your client--" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. something of him before." name is different." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present opened the door, and slipped through. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," be. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' me upon any point which I do not make clear." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property eavesdroppers?' me. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I have seen the police." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold your own bird, so if you wish--" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news morning." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment skylight. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault right! Sit down and let us talk it over." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting should be so warm over such a trifle." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in. "A client, then?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And Miss Sutherland?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily question. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Not particularly." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One father's place of business?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "How did you deduce the select?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "The decline of his fortunes, then?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in girl said." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "9th. McCauley cleared. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a with the outside air!" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after