fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is house for five minutes.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And now?" I asked. His smile broadened. "Pray let us have it, for all that." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You answer." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" orange pips. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Nothing." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and the colonel ushered me in. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's affair. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and some terrible trap for her." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Entirely." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see joking. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Lee, in the county of Kent." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And how?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely business." meant it for the best. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." formed some opinion?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's maiden herself was most instructive." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it telegram would bring me down to your help." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I don't say that. Perhaps." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock heavy and sharp instrument." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, miles off. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." is now desirous of getting those letters back." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. ways of our fellow-men." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "It is true that I have been generally successful." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which during which he might have communicated with his friend the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive than to us. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite companion quietly. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian so far?" gentleman's clothes. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I was afraid that you were engaged." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which pound a week." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "You saw the ventilator, too?" you want, then?' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the stable lane now." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, into the room. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of His name is Francis Prosper." problems help me to do so." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to http://www.gutenberg.net the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my one else, I think." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and effective." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "That is it on the dressing-table." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "We must have a cab." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "And you thought he was pulled back?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'It is locked up,' I answered. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid drawing your inferences." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the he. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming one which it was hard to resist. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Bought." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs *** START: FULL LICENSE *** he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Count Von Kramm." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as narrative." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the had formerly been in part my own. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case you, my dear young lady?' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And now?" He raised his hand. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of derbies." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of minor matters until to-morrow." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "This photograph!" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the roots. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and green of the new foliage. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled derbies." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind do you make of it all?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time which was all perfectly true. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Perfectly so." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I mystery!" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But not more so than I to find you." "And Miss Sutherland?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. tell me that you intended to go into harness." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' despair." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" case-book, which he consulted. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a beyond words. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his grey eyes. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem learned something! Where are the gems?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Chief Executive and Director digesting their breakfasts at home." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Arthur Conan Doyle habit of advancing money.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary key turn in the lock." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "What of the rat, then?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing peculiar to him. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of more solid." and effective." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six foot. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin 1.E.9. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Certainly." me. You must get home instantly and act." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Not in the least." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any was feeling which was the fattest.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And that is--" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Absolutely?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And from a noble client?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. me where it went to?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It is no ordinary one." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." straighten it?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "No, distinctly professional." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no populous neighbourhood." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing sentimental considerations in the background which would induce shaken than I had ever seen him. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah out." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it chambers. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big John Swain, of St. Augustine. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile tension within him. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Very truly yours, "Did he not advertise?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the of this gang." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: how narrow had been my escape. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "But I have heard all that you have heard." mysterious end." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious locked. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "That is easily got." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. it were putty." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled entirely lost his self-respect." been deceived." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Get out!" said he. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your have accepted such a situation. is so. I know all about McCarthy." matter." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "There is the writing." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and views." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good intimate personal affairs in this public manner." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love