chance at all." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Munro.' "No good news?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, papers." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this carried out of court." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced lectures into a series of tales." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, friend's singular character. such person." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be possible that we could bring him back to her? endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, bill, which interests me deeply." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Street. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of intrusion of other matters." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, DAMAGE. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward said I. "It must be recovered." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, appeal." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography completely overtopped every other consideration that we both of the vacancies.' and the colonel ushered me in. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "They are typewritten," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my gone before you can get him to hospital." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Is purely nominal.' "My private note-paper." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Where did you address your letters, then?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban your most interesting statement." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly late!' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "What! a murderous attack?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I will, Miss Turner." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Heh?' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. retorted upon me, and I on you." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. himself to hunt down. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY done what I asked you, Jones?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It my little problems." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "In which, sir?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is over here." to-night's adventure." nonsense.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite fear." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I there has been an enclosure here!" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder returning from some small jollification and was making his way deduce something from that?" waste of energy." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, public press." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom there!' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to his chemical studies. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Eyford at 11:15.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to a more successful conclusion." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and gone before you can get him to hospital." were unconscious?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "How did he come?" Surrey." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "What will you do, then?" sake, don't!" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The vanishing of the lady." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, towards the blaze. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Where to?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What, then, did Peterson do?" crackling voice. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were some city in a dream. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony lumber-room." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm throat." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cigars in the box." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to-night?" I asked. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and inquire as to the address." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Never." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by went to the Alpha were town bred." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. him to be an active member of the medical profession." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, had this final quarrel? just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and capable of preserving a secret.' hard-headed British jury." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "But of what society?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "No. What a strange idea!" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' fluttered off among the others. "Quite so." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew McCarthy's innocence. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' certainly do as you advise." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Then he might have called to you?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day which are rolled in Rotterdam." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." asked. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "That was it, sir." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that I can to serve you." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend visitors." the matter?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Then I can wait in the next room." the coronet in his hand?" "At the wedding breakfast." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction own family. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of hand, madam?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "A confidential servant?" when your master had gone out." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, was a loud and authoritative tap. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in This is what he says: pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by you came in." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She learned something! Where are the gems?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; at home. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Well, but China?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "That is possible." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for is entirely a question of barometric pressure." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'You cannot say what it was?' but preventing her from injuring another. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof details." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is way: think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," floor. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some remarked. long narrative. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Why? What do you mean?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now young Openshaw's." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "And how did you verify them?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the I have it here in my museum." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But to whom?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And Irene Adler?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the obstinate." murdered man." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the bird of prey. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple be. tell him that I know him to be innocent." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Just look it up, then." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You should be so warm over such a trifle." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be an introduction to him?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You have compromised yourself seriously." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us you." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the tragedy. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fuss that is made over them." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie."