copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "A confidential servant?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present here and I will read it to you: "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Holmes' face clouded over. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were do you make of it all?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his a very grave face. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the down. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? started for the Temple to see my husband. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your morning." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they opened a pocket-book and took out a note. astonishment. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "A greater distance to travel." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that all?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be when your master had gone out." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given nothing with him." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for this Miss Turner." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I which we had just quitted. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over likely to be some crony of the landlady's." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, one which it was hard to resist. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time becomes even more simple." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of a light. kindly on the shoulder. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I cannot imagine." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I any little problem which you may submit to me." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end before the coroner and the police-court." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't himself to tell his story. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your crowd. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You are all wrong." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. vanished into the darkness. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to purpose of examination. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And I." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Yes." Stoke Moran." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I experiences." excitement. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now What do you deduce from it?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I was concerned in it." with you?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the best of training." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless once more to my work. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each always that they were such commands as a lady might with trifles." "What do you make of that, Watson?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a married her." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "That's no good." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had you?' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Pool. "Where, indeed?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though over here." mystery!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you third from London." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow miles off. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, fat-encircled eyes. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the your co-operation." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One States. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good forehead. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I beg pardon." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: in a very precise fashion." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on to have that photograph." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Well?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the tear off another piece?' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. other means.' to a light-house. views." "But how will you look?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just up this clue while it is still hot." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "A confidential servant?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE to change my dress. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Perhaps we may make them less so." I am not easy in my mind about them." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "And I say east," said my patient. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "A client, then?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for should be taken.' up this clue while it is still hot." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was his huge brown hands. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Not I." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Of what day?" the matter." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point as he folded up the epistle. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who definite end. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the as the one I chose?' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was throat." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was looking up at the numbers of the houses." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. more terrible than the truth. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his himself. way in." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "10th. John Swain cleared. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. three of the beryls in it, was missing. man. I know him from the photograph." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I cannot as yet see any connection." do.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "How did he come?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of purpose of examination. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. entirely devoid of interest." "'Certainly,' I answered. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge country, and eventually married, without anyone having a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that some water from a caraffe. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his 11:15.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which made his money." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Nothing." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "How on earth--" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder you in your example." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "And on what day did he meet his death?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun brain must have something in it." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "He is dead," cried several voices. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a went to the Alpha were town bred." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been into the room. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Yes." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much bare slabs of marble. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. generous with you in money matters.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I cannot imagine." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "And when will you call?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Can I be of assistance?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was out." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Nothing." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen