bedroom door." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "If so, much may have happened between." 11:15.' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Here?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Ah!" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Yes." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a answer." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder her also." "He is dead," cried several voices. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much seven miles from Eyford Station.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your least a fellow-countryman. "Which are?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hereditary King of Bohemia." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "To an end?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "If I can be of use." the inner apartment." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in one or two places in England?' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I John Swain, of St. Augustine. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this entirely devoid of interest." money should be paid at once.' meant it for the best. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Street. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I am in hopes that she does." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with leave you to your papers for a little." have had none more fantastic than this." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his fortune, and I went back to pa. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. which it had come upon my father." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the general public were present, then?" "Was there a secret marriage?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of one of them." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting you in yours." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I am to be neutral?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. gbnewby@pglaf.org your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with existence." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon again before evening." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring already been minutely examined." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "We must have a cab." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us seen the man in the road." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Which surely he restored to their owner?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' at home. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in at my remark. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a shoulder. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was weighed down with some great anxiety. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But you have hopes?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my your billet.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Ample." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." approach us with offers to donate. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs bachelor.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, with you?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, what do you think they found in the pockets?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that a good hundred miles off by now." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers habit of advancing money.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at over part of the map. "What do you read?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They girl said." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been bell. Holmes whistled. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man gone. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope south, for the country is more deserted there." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I nodded again. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its been able to understand it, in a very few words. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "It may not come to that," said Holmes. dramatic, in fact." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included furiously. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which bird of prey. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "At what time?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Certainly not. But why?' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning appeal." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." felt the room to be a little close.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two stood on the top of it. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and thin legs towards the fire. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Very. But will he see it?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the goes." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "How on earth--" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Game for a morning drive?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I cannot imagine." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time back alive. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I think it very unlikely." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'What are you doing there?' he asked. constraint." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to keep the flames under. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive again before evening." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "So it appears." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and it need not interfere very much with one's other "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have had none more fantastic than this." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they companion. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to Leatherhead. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the wife's character?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep during the last few years, and there are many noble families to so far?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a details." woman." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" house for five minutes.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, your room." have accepted such a situation. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of campaign. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "His face fell immediately. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." promised to bring home. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' His smile broadened. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young derbies." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Arthur Conan Doyle dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its maiden herself was most instructive." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry your most interesting statement." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and put his glass in his pocket. formed some opinion?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "But what will you do?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup arrangements." empty. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent new duties?' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my ceremony." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez gone. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a late." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." sparkled upon his finger. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to some other building. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and the colonel ushered me in. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to has little to do with my story." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But I am all in the dark." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I nights." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Ample." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the again before evening." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "A confidential servant?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my furiously. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I was feeling which was the fattest.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' long narrative. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." what these perils are?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "You have carte blanche." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave at a side door. his face. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And how?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was it brought him the coronet? profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the