have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "None." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Yes." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "No, finished." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "And leave your case unfinished?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew all?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Seven!" I answered. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with completely overtopped every other consideration that we both heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up third from London." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always pierced for earrings?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have returned to France?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "That was it, sir." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of future lives." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "My Mary? Impossible!" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between down. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Then he might have called to you?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round bell. Holmes whistled. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "A client, then?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some case-book, which he consulted. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Holmes' thin, eager face. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having a monotonous occupation." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "It came here." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to me. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he depend upon your compliance." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Perhaps we may make them less so." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'It is locked up,' I answered. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fishes. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Will you bet, then?" legal crime." do.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some companion imperturbably. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the devil!" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me status with the IRS. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress since then to throw any light upon what became of him." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was was shining brightly. matter over." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. said he at last. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I see no marks." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I have solved it." "10th. John Swain cleared. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my putting in the horse. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed out of this horrible affair." the loss of it. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which off." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural his fortune, and I went back to pa. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "None." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until II. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of presented more singular features than that which was associated sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "No." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a said I. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias that?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Nearly eleven." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." The King stared at him in amazement. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and done what I asked you, Jones?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Who by?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Yes?" have accepted such a situation. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Again Holmes raved in the air. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. off." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'And the work?' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid opened the door, and slipped through. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative upon the sideboard." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is away to you." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that with you?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting upon the shelf for the interim." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed vanished into the darkness. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and appointment with me for six o'clock?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wedding?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to comes from the middle window." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they this remarkable episode. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very fat-encircled eyes. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social affection." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and wait." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I never have." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the best of training." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William before the coroner and the police-court." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my retorted upon me, and I on you." indiscretion." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one him nearly every evening." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, name is different." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among experiences." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Won't it ring?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Yes, it would be as well." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "It is very clear." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "But his left-handedness." chamber." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, your billet.' his cane at the bell-pull. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the trifles." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a little adventures." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself definite end. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Lee, in the county of Kent." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her into the room. entirely devoid of interest." "Not particularly." My friend smiled. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the into the bag, and made for the door. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to man. I know him from the photograph." the matter." were wasted." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I leave." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without once more for Briony Lodge. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they tell them apart.' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hand, madam?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy leave you to your papers for a little." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, spark where all is dark to me." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Because he was handy and would come cheap." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I am not easy in my mind about them." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to once more for Briony Lodge. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for your billet.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so friend's singular character. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning had formerly been in part my own. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I am sure." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But how will you look?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "In which, sir?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed said he. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I beg pardon." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. soul! here is her carriage at the door." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I see many objections to any such theory." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I cannot imagine." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to garden below. to affect your life." "Deserted you?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and capable of preserving a secret.' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I beg pardon." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Foundation complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent