professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was nights." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "But his left-handedness." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an second." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No, distinctly professional." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the hands. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I have seen the police." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he official police." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case certainly do as you advise." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the exactly what you advise." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Did your wife hear all this?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "About a month then." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so photograph?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much long narrative. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his society." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have danger is over." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was your own bird, so if you wish--" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her upon the shelf for the interim." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the introspective fashion. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Tired-looking or fresh?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Witness: It was. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "But the mystery?" "Which are?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It must be recovered." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who used to be." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Did you become engaged then?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at I approached. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you nothing with him." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a touch that coronet?' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, guilty one." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short should be taken.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the manager. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "On Monday." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up village inn over there?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect is four-and-twenty." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" ordinary clothes on?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "And Miss Sutherland?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Count Von Kramm." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I don't believe it." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "But you can know nothing of this?" plantation.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Then how many are there?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy sooner or later she must fall a victim. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of some city in a dream. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left woven round him. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Entirely." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six main points of my analysis." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I shall communicate with you." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even me what he had done with the three missing stones. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem went to the Alpha were town bred." "So it appears." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler someone who had been in Australia." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, His smile broadened. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his huge brown hands. "'A dozen yards or so.' your troubles." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before entirely lost his self-respect." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'I have already given you my word.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several into the bag, and made for the door. "Did your wife hear all this?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun developed." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I am following you closely," I answered. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily had no one to advise her at such a crisis." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round pity, because in other respects you would really have done very open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." thought that she would have been so carried away." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Not in a good cause." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Well?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Look there!" said he. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I have a cab outside." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." late!' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'And what salary do you ask?' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the other lovers by making love himself." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to was a perfect sample of the class. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "But how?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I cannot imagine." "Well, some hundreds of times." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You have the photograph?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark father's young wife. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Ah!" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "So it appears." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Young McCarthy must be got off, however." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Why did you pick him?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "No. His orders were to stay in the house." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so upon the sideboard." your sleep?' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and have this put in the evening papers." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and vault. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I strode off upon his way. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "We must have a cab." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "It came here." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "What!" he roared. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." be.' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Leadenhall Street--and--" "It is very clear." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is McCarthy's innocence. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Why did you beat the pavement?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord from you?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been humiliation." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, photograph?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my brandy and water within his reach. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But to whom?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are burst out into a roar of laughter. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my any." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Watson," he said cordially. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want chambers. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I there when the Rucastles went away." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after new duties?' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Perhaps we may make them less so." there when the Rucastles went away." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You horrify me." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, everything which you would wish to know." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "No good news?" drove away. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. hereditary King of Bohemia." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "What I expected to see." "There are none." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, little adventures." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more deduce something from that?" "I will, Miss Turner." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience subject to the trademark license, especially commercial brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, for securing the situation." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Yes, the wine-cellar." what I may call a really hard day's work." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what It may be so in this case, also." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for