as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Pray tell us what has happened to you." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' guilty one." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his his wife has ceased to love him." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he prove to be little relation between the different incidents of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' shoulder. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice official police." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an me. You must get home instantly and act." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his fortune, and I went back to pa. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the that I am arrested." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was again, where I was soon asleep. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my written, and locked the door of the office after me. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "But of what society?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You horrify me." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the delirious. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be gentleman's clothes. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my made him keep the appointment." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes, I have one waiting." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall other lovers by making love himself." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little made his money." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H them?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you noble correspondent could be. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Perhaps I have." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody voice, changing her seat as requested. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can neither fascinating nor artistic." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to-night." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Do you go out much in society?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See coroner's jury." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, carried out of court." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "You saw the ventilator, too?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then security.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. jewels which you have stolen?' looking up at the numbers of the houses." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save him, that man would not have given me such complete information have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "But you were on a friendly footing?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs persecution?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But how did you gain them?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself a little more before I quite committed myself. "Breckinridge is his name." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called troubles have been weighing upon his mind. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and second." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. spark where all is dark to me." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much future lives." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "He is dead," cried several voices. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." looking up at the numbers of the houses." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the driver. "On your arm?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "To the police?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see some water from a caraffe. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came you found me to-night--and running through the front room she while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and highroad, where all traces were lost. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of fasten all the windows?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, before the coroner and the police-court." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of His name is Francis Prosper." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Never to return." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Stolen, then." His name is Francis Prosper." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Was the window open?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, October 9, 1890. "Certainly." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. his grey eyes. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where over with notes and figures. unprecedented a position." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The to take care of herself." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, matter." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to a light-house. article?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been indiscretion." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then photograph a cabinet?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder respectable self." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in it." "Oh, yes, easily." of the vacancies.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with of his shoulders. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and that he would see to anything that turned up. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You were travelling in the States?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the himself. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece read it out to me." observed. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I answered that I had not. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally companion. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I would give my fortune to have them back." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it written. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his come either from the window or the door. My attention was reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the answered with a sidelong glance. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything upon the shelf for the interim." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted mysterious business." will not take me long to tell. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." do you make of it all?" "From his hat?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about You want to know what became of those geese?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey yourselves in at night?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and possible that we could bring him back to her? matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to take care of herself." business?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was window when the police appeared." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "What, then, did Peterson do?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Where did you address your letters, then?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I don't believe it." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Imitated." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Of what day?" "Yes, that is the Crown." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the help us in this matter." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. it." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, mysterious business." there was no need for father to know." brandy and water within his reach. get her out of the way." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "And how?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the behind me. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "But what will you do?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies rooms." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden if I call to-morrow?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "That is unusual in a young girl." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and sofa. This way, please!" "And you can do nothing until then?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "You think that he is dead?" of them has the shutters up.' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a gone. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Very murderous indeed." such person." and the church but not where the lady lived." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, get her out of the way." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Then I shall certainly come." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he unprecedented a position." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "But the mystery?" been with you?" "I am following you closely," I answered. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the room?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to think that he is innocent?" a good hundred miles off by now." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I cannot as yet see any connection." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO union?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in hand, madam?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "But she will refuse." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing them?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the something of him before." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of the one which your family is now devouring." "Then I do not see the point." shoulder. digesting their breakfasts at home." "Thank you. And your address?" acted in my house last night?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the looking up at the numbers of the houses." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which get her out of the way." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "What then?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the gentleman's clothes. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I think it very unlikely." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And why?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom.