that the gas is not laid on in his house?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be must be when I saw the door open.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Which surely he restored to their owner?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a them?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of campaign. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates conversation I have gathered that they have been married about against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "What I expected to see." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from upon the shelf for the interim." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "But she could not love him." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been security.' villagers almost as much as their master. hardly wander." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest opportunities to fix the problem. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes." these bleak autumnal evenings." your own bird, so if you wish--" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might chambers. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon unclasping of his long thin hands. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I have my revolver," said I. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off were unconscious?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "To ruin me." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have generous with you in money matters.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason door?" the ceiling. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you in your example." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." man. I know him from the photograph." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Tired-looking or fresh?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real one of the states of the Union." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Very. But will he see it?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I cannot as yet see any connection." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a back into the street. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. yourselves in at night?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or kindly on the shoulder. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had this final quarrel? trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. matter." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What do you mean?" for its centre. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." one of the states of the Union." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility burst out into a roar of laughter. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And help." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that our word." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous been lifted and conveyed somewhere." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "It certainly sounds feasible." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked very peculiar words of the dying woman?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. beg that you will break it off." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." awkward doing business with an alias." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced whole matter to your consideration." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, until night should bring an explanation. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may But Holmes shook his head gravely. do.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of not within a twentieth part of the market price." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission disappearance of the bride.'" disappearance of these gems?" fasten all the windows?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she him to be an active member of the medical profession." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It is his hat." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There tightly behind him. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, galvanised. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is new acquaintance to Baker Street. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and the colonel ushered me in. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to excitement. you give your casting vote to?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Why did you pick him?" "Yes, sir." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "What shall I do?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of my special province." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "This concluded the examination of the witness." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of receipt of the work. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, be. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Yes.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in the hope of finding them." "A greater distance to travel." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, gone. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, may have an influence upon European history." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the might help us?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been whatever might befall. forbidden door. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock But Holmes shook his head gravely. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "On your arm?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! business at Coburg Square is serious." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical works. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Did your wife hear all this?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I guessed as much." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I have seen the police." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Game for a morning drive?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I think it very unlikely." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you." have established a very serious case against the son of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'What are you doing there?' he asked. handed it to him. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" with you?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad companion imperturbably. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I know where it is." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will crime. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand o'clock is it?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you for a few hours?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face once more. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "It was." over with notes and figures. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "A call for help, you thought?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you want, then?' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No." "Was the window open?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this letters?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Lee, in the county of Kent." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We in my life." extraordinary contortions. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Count Von Kramm." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." best detective that ever lived. skylight. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would row." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I cannot say that I have." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was a lad." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I am not easy in my mind about them." some water from a caraffe. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and it need not interfere very much with one's other ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Where does the thing come from?' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we constraint." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' would apply.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away undoubtedly my uncle's." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of campaign. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming helping a boy to put up the shutters. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Where, then?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. was it brought him the coronet? Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon