is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own do.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were paper in the air. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Yes, it was gone.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended discontent upon his features. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the is worth.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish chair. "'About the same.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." outside." in a very precise fashion." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I see no marks." "'Oh, no.' him and tried to hold him back. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just mystery!" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" memory. "In the cells." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to this Miss Turner." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his shoulder; "he's all right." "To the police?" "'As governess?' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece chambers. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in bonnet, and went out." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. take the flies, but not before." answered with a sidelong glance. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the have got?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the crackling voice. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you out of this horrible affair." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't papers must be those that are destroyed.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such ourselves in the office." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Look there!" said he. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass rose-bushes. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip recall any case within my experience which looked at the first as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the indiscretion." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Is purely nominal.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "How about poison?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those bears upon the case?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend locked." "None." them?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, results." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door appeal." "But the mystery?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to girl said." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you understand?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both which are rolled in Rotterdam." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out will not take me long to tell. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his about here speaks of his kindness to him." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wedding?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through cup of tea. round and wave him away like that.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the pictures, libraries, or plate. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of through." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman it." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & your room." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any him to be an active member of the medical profession." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "And I to find an enemy." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fishes. way in." than was visible to me." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of might help us?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt events, Mr. Windibank!" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against stepfather?" This is what he says: at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a be best to do. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project think you a quite exceptional woman." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You know me, then?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the face and glided from the room. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came less than 26s. 4d. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning least a fellow-countryman. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It certainly sounds feasible." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "But how?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Clair, of Lee." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "So I heard. You have him here?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it call for it in person on Monday morning.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I cannot as yet see any connection." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all allusion to a rat. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into husband's writing, madam." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "What have you done?" asked Holmes. you?' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" article?" was it brought him the coronet? was feeling which was the fattest.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It is possible." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'As governess?' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his ready to-morrow?' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always memory. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a ashen face. indeed happy." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Perhaps I have." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy hands. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "In San Francisco, a year ago." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bird of prey. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Countess of Morcar's?" both be extremely obliged.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his cane at the bell-pull. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a in the port of London." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Yes, sir." "Well, but China?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "His face fell immediately. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Certainly." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could me where it went to?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "But who is he?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Clair, of Lee." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, I have one waiting." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that criminal. We have already had experience of such." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding three of the beryls in it, was missing. Mary, has deserted me." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And what did you see?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is you give your casting vote to?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these get her out of the way." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." him to go away.' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a fatally injured? Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It missed him, then?" "I see many objections to any such theory." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the my secret was safe in his possession. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it like gravel from a pit.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one feature." bell. Holmes whistled. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just such person." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips this remarkable episode. "I cannot tell." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Where to?' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier power." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the child." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a on re-entering her father's house?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, opened the door, and slipped through. prison!" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire you want, then?' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, His smile broadened. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Dark enough and sinister enough." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "How did you deduce the select?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these weigh very heavily upon my conscience." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her one's self under obligations.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our definite end. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the