seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Thank you. And your address?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. http://gutenberg.net/license). this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the matter?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the that threaten you." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass walking." Farm upon the left." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Yes, sir." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place their singular warning or token before them when starting upon was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It is very clear." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with there in twenty minutes." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the are windows in it, of course?" better grown goose." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chambers. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock conclusions. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." not, dad?" she asked. there when the Rucastles went away." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Frequently." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that was used.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'As governess?' mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted man. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "BALLARAT." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Where did he live, then?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Munro.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and put his glass in his pocket. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Then you may entirely rely on me." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Yes, all." invisible to me," I remarked. The King stared at him in amazement. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to is acting for the best. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Who by?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the salesman. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the lumber-room." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to details." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to have been novel and of interest." of your young ladies.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Then I shall certainly come." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No business." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the salesman. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My own seal." the night.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you not within a twentieth part of the market price." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual this as likely?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little that you can jump it.' "How about poison?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'And what salary do you ask?' jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with signal between you and your father? For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the lost nothing by them." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the do.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Certainly." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a point in the dark hollow of his hand. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting The King stared at him in amazement. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Most admirably.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yes, only one." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. peculiar to him. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The foot. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" you want, then?' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the train.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "But you were on a friendly footing?" depend upon my doing so.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "But his left-handedness." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." electronic works doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited one which it was hard to resist. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And that is--" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "That is it on the dressing-table." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." outside." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical matter over." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Of what?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "What do you mean?" "I should wish to." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The when you have done it." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty which our visitor detailed to us. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a have an American origin." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 forbidden door. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and a shock of very red hair. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or extraordinary contortions. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the loss of it. away into the river." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Then you may entirely rely on me." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'What are you doing there?' he asked. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Yes." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced as he folded up the epistle. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "To an end?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I charged with?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no back into the street. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel on in his house." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was lame." deduce something from that?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "And what did you learn from him?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of Fenchurch Street." looking up at the numbers of the houses." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Which are?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little photograph?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it weary and pale-looking. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the which are rolled in Rotterdam." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this to tackle the facts." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the very letters. But what is this written above them?' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the served to weaken the effect. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be married her." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Have you it here?" said he. my secret was safe in his possession. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He my friend's incisive reasoning. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. was lame." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were only touch the interest." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to have been novel and of interest." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Imitated." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "What can it mean?" I gasped. shaken than I had ever seen him. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. States. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining think, you have already met." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands with some details as to your case." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because