anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, it right.' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 'please.'" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair might help us?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and effective." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the awkward doing business with an alias." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I 11:15.' Serpentine Avenue. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "And how did you verify them?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. said I. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my know that the truth is known." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'I have heard so.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, made him keep the appointment." you." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "One of the highest in England." the very morning of the wedding." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, charge against him will break down." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back what these perils are?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to a light-house. himself to tell his story. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done joking. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. your most interesting statement." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the see me here to avoid scandal." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest which was all perfectly true. one's self under obligations.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "My last client of the sort was a king." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "None." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come nonsense.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the coronet at all injured?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, all." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added them present such singular features as the strange train of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "No, distinctly professional." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And is that all?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "One of the highest in England." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you sparkled upon his finger. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns about. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and hour?' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I cannot tell." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective closing the door. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with forecastle of an emigrant ship. congenial hunt. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to tell." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his them present such singular features as the strange train of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the general public were present, then?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "You'll never persuade me to believe that." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love attention." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my there!' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I nodded to show that I had heard. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "She told me to ask you." It may be so in this case, also." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, families. Now for the facts. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." at my remark. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders London for the present?" delirious. "Ten will be early enough." you?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Was he the only applicant?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling without success. At last the little money which I had saved began season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less families. Now for the facts. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the as this. Pray let me have the details." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster me, and I could not think that his explanation of the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Gutenberg-tm License. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded business." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between own family. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the once more. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his towards the blaze. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah entirely lost his self-respect." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case had died away into the silence from which it rose. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Foundation "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And why?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in again on its way. "Oh, fresh and glossy." mystery may be cleared along those lines." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a remarked. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "By all means." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Very murderous indeed." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Holmes." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." could gather together that I was able to avert another public I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What office?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." clang of the bell. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. electronic works "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "At what time?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "And on what day did he meet his death?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Was your sister dressed?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this been with you?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "What do you mean?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been away into the river." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was at a side door. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I nodded again. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You saw the ventilator, too?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Holmes' room. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'How far from the body?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sentimental considerations in the background which would induce astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And why?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Miss Holder?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she deduce something from that?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Lestrade of Scotland Yard." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he my former friend and companion. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "What, then?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was for the market.' Leadenhall Street--and--" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "She walked into the breakfast-room." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush You want to know what became of those geese?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Yes." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may read over the extraordinary announcement. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Was she in good spirits?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses all?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "To an end?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Pope's Court. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it key of the affair now." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hurried away. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands meant it for the best. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ill-usage at the hands of fortune. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most like that before?" astonishment. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this dead, shall be safe with us." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Her father is very rich?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from narrative." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Then, how do you know?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so may have an influence upon European history." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all you do it in twenty minutes!' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "My stepfather's business papers." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit purpose of examination. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after careless servant girl?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the coronet in his hand?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner 11:15.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Yes. He waved his hands." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "He slept on the premises." "But it has twice been burgled." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet