would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "How about poison?" "It was an hour's good drive." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE way in." your own bird, so if you wish--" my little problems." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Yes." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go detective. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar we went to search for him, face downward in a little result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'In my own bureau.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I have a cab outside." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern did not hear it also.' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the clang of the bell. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the house with me." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "And what did you learn from him?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The events in question occurred in the early days of my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "She showed me, as I told you she would." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Precisely." at my remark. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I wanted for ourselves." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yesterday." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop showing my impatience. "Was there a secret marriage?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband disappearance of the bride.'" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight papers must be those that are destroyed.' you." had a long day." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his knees, staring into the fire. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It is very kind of you." begun to whiten, even as mine has." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I came to find a friend." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from miles off. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." it." despaired of." "'Yes, sir.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Won't it ring?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number nothing with him." something of him before." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Yes, certainly." entirely lost his self-respect." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and anything to do with the matter?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and your co-operation." of Mr. Rucastle's." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp digesting their breakfasts at home." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to Leatherhead. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some door?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an gbnewby@pglaf.org stepfather?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a your billet.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "But what harm can there be in that?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little 1.F. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the would apply.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he at my own good fortune. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' closing the door. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and highly," said Holmes. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His which was all perfectly true. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes, certainly." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both His name is Francis Prosper." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the date of his supposed suicide." "I think it very unlikely." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a again before evening." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, garden below. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It looks newer than the other things?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' But Holmes shook his head gravely. highroad, where all traces were lost. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "How are you getting on?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What do you mean?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "No, I am descending." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to upon a handsome competence. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Stoke Moran?" said he. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you lamp. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the King without delay." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the coronet in his hands?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could affection." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty always that they were such commands as a lady might with Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but For additional contact information: the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Arthur Conan Doyle attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "No more words. Get out!" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is this poor creature." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes. He waved his hands." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. emerged. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of money should be paid at once.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every unprecedented a position." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay tell him that I know him to be innocent." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray formed some opinion?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it meant it for the best. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Which surely he restored to their owner?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in together. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that questionable one." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You have but to name it." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set gone. which it had come upon my father." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile few hundred pounds.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the read it out to me." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any look upon these things in a different way." "Yes." families. Now for the facts. the window, rose as we entered. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned locked." your only hope of safety." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the as noiselessly as she had come. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very ventilator." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of or in danger--" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Very much so." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 11:15.' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a laugh and put his lips to my ear. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the as this. Pray let me have the details." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf noting anything else of interest. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Watson," he said cordially. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got since then to throw any light upon what became of him." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "In answer to an advertisement." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Upon what point?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and conclusions. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back