with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. questioning and rather startled gaze. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You don't mind breaking the law?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor closely." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Witness: Nothing definite. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the fait accompli?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very McCarthy." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint for its centre. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot absorbing." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Then the page we have seen--" to a light-house. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yes, it would be as well." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Very truly yours, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "How are you getting on?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down strength in the others." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Not I." hereditary King of Bohemia." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as note?" "At half-wages, in fact." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed despaired of." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She just ask you whether you had heard it.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Then he might have called to you?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Street. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, best detective that ever lived. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies upon the sideboard." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and no precautions can guard against." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Pray continue your narrative." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'It is locked up,' I answered. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his husband's writing, madam." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But your client--" "Will you bet, then?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the thirty. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Come in!" said Holmes. figure." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first away in different directions, and I went off to make my own article?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to tell." "Your French gold?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been are, and they are waiting for us." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Does that suggest anything?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is a murder, then?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It certainly sounds feasible." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, felt the room to be a little close.' "Who was the criminal, then?" Holmes. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall good for you to do.' fatally injured? "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. your billet.' "Of Friday, June 19th." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of McCarthy." IS he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few himself to hunt down. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am never to learn it at all." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "My opinion is in no way altered." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Sutherland. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the house with me." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You did not overhear what they said?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. returning from some small jollification and was making his way flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the driver. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Which dealer's?' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "He is still with you, I presume?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon have not had my rubber." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been not use it unless it is absolutely needed." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him cigars in the box." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can than was visible to me." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just occupations.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "About a month then." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You think that he is dead?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two call the police, let the police find what they can.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another which it had come upon my father." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever swore that no one else had been in the front room during the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had as yours." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better possible that we could bring him back to her? "If I can be of use." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that vanished into the darkness. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of closing the door. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the you want, then?' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes, I have one waiting." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third not come at once?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, stammered. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Was there a secret marriage?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the into the room. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the you?" noble correspondent could be. your room." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "No good news?" "I think it very unlikely." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "It came here." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the in darkness. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I say it is." on in his house." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that attention." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the fattened it expressly for you.' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that you wished to speak to me?' I leave." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Ha! you find it so?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Nothing?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. are windows in it, of course?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Witness: It was. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of his shoulders. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Well." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It surprised me." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Sholtos." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Lestrade of Scotland Yard." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the more terrible than the truth. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Miss Holder?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and delirious. was shining brightly. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There meant." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the knowledge of the world." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and away to you." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey meant it for the best. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There society." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "And what did you see?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical there when the Rucastles went away." His name is Francis Prosper." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your waste of energy." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from spark where all is dark to me." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of bears upon the case?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing emerged. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the room while you explain this matter?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "How about poison?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No, I am descending." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "What! Had he lost his wife?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "You have carte blanche." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to me. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the footfalls from the street. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." have got?" "And now?" I asked. murdered man." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I came to find a friend." him. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he