would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Henry Baker is a member." "Dr. Becher's." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Will you bet, then?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her death." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I have a cab outside." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two nonsense.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The gentleman I describe." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far your room." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." me where it went to?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" when your master had gone out." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some if she died from some sudden fright." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of." your sleep?' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'I am sure that I do not know.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I am still in the dark." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I think that it is very probable." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action geese which you supplied to the Alpha." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the address that was given us in the advertisement. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been McCarthy." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would said I. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "By train from Waterloo." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the said Mr. Holder. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" events than those which have happened in my own family." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring upon the shelf for the interim." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that threaten you." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You were travelling in the States?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. been deceived." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "What! Had he lost his wife?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the opened the door, and slipped through. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I comes from the middle window." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural page at http://pglaf.org gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the views." "No, thank goodness, she did not." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. quickly through a disagreeable task. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. letters?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Cross for the Continent." make me his representative both with the servants and with the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on situation." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a house for five minutes.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and a shock of very red hair. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Frequently." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I would give my fortune to have them back." "When did she vanish, then?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But trifles." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any crackling voice. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "None." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Absolutely?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main matters immensely." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email breakfast and whispered something to her husband. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from have got?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is daring than any effort of the imagination." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Your sister is dead, then?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I get the tickets." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Pool. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses London for the present?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And how in the world did you find them?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly was the fact that his father should, according to his account, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being was it brought him the coronet? the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'I have heard so.' directly by questioning you." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was must compliment you." are, and they are waiting for us." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "No sign of it?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But we can't all be." "The rest you will leave in our hands." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the coronet in his hands?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table bird I ate is country bred." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a him. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in never to learn it at all." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "But I have heard all that you have heard." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are already referred to. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The summons was a brief and urgent one. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." floor. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful 1.F. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps late!' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. copied or distributed: always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fire. You quite follow me?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And that is--" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No, I had a dozen." "I don't say that. Perhaps." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Has he come with you to-night?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my confronted him. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "To ruin me." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "It is his hat." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I have come for advice." felt the room to be a little close.' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his even of instruction." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have might have a private word with us. good for you to do.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not carriage. It was a chestnut." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his throat." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Who was the criminal, then?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Doctor, of the paper and the date." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" late!' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Get out!" said he. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was together. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is points in connection with it which never have been, and probably narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The landlord of the Alpha." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Very truly yours, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Heh?' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And when will you call?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be with the outside air!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. less than 26s. 4d. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an emerged. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Never.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "BALLARAT." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. not, dad?" she asked. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith see a sister of mine apply for." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" more solid." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the brandy and water within his reach. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not look dissatisfied." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And from a noble client?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" other means.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I was mad--insane." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he read it out to me." "The doctor?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who bled considerably." arrested. You then--" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, is," said he presently: so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser electronic works "My dear Holmes!" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. society." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Watson," he said cordially. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Certainly." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The police have openly confessed that they can at present make eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with discontent upon his features. as noiselessly as she had come. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then the page we have seen--" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for You can understand that this register and diary may implicate was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Have you good authority for what you say?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And for present expenses?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the interested in these little problems, and since you are good the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed,