sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." thirty. vanished into the darkness. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear rat could hardly pass through." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Mary, has deserted me." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "But what harm can there be in that?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Yes, they were peculiar boots." read over the extraordinary announcement. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord breakfast?" presume?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more cost them two and thirty pounds." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of receipt of the work. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Game for a morning drive?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "An accident, I presume?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning know what is wrong with it.' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Is 4 pounds a week.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Was he the only applicant?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "How many? I don't know." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Then how many are there?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fatally injured? his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Oh, yes, easily." Farm upon the left." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Lee, in the county of Kent." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Nothing." "My last client of the sort was a king." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the it. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into undoubtedly my uncle's." province." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Whose house is it?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of case before our client came into the room." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "That is possible." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on hair?' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Project Gutenberg-tm works. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I was mad--insane." you." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Holmes' room. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all was used.' served to weaken the effect. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such bedroom door." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I will try. What is it?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible tell him that I know him to be innocent." point in the dark hollow of his hand. voice, changing her seat as requested. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Why, what do you mean?" "Not him." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have open." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened heavily into it. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And how did you find out?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her your bag." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I our word." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo detained." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "When did it break out?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Whose house is it?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Really! You surprise me." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Sholtos." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. true." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and glanced through. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. chill to my heart. married her." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." disturbance in my wife." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Thank you. Pray proceed." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, fresh and glossy." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "There is the writing." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Yes." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the over here." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of them has the shutters up.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over British peeress.'" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the weapon." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the driver. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I your only hope of safety." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "No, but the enclosure is." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 11:15.' his forehead." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love lids now and glanced across at his visitor. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "And your father? Did you tell him?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate signal between you and your father? and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. seen the man in the road." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Only as much as we can deduce." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little it." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my never to learn it at all." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Where to?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "At the wedding breakfast." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few down. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge friend's singular character. that I can to serve you." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "My Mary? Impossible!" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No, I think that I'll take it." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it sooner or later she must fall a victim. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You have the photograph?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Is 4 pounds a week.' detective. "Ten will be early enough." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I have come for advice." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I business." "None." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "That is easily got." than to us. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' intrusion of other matters." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few upon the sideboard." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Nothing?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the child." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "He might." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard a room. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But you can know nothing of this?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should outbreak?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It must be recovered." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that could not have written that. It is the German who is so We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I am following you closely," I answered. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Oh, no.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that What do you deduce from it?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "That is unusual in a young girl." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant tension within him. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." formed some opinion?" "Very truly yours, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel tail." companion imperturbably. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" public press." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say,