to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I think that it is very probable." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite wedding?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a desk. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Dirty?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on straighten it?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an London for the present?" touch that coronet?' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without events, Mr. Windibank!" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret weighed down with some great anxiety. my former friend and companion. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved new acquaintance to Baker Street. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "By no means." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I have hopes." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I overpowering excitement and concern. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found into the bag, and made for the door. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'Tell me all about it,' said I. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously closely." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may outbreak?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." entirely lost his self-respect." if only as a check to my own memory." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "The doctor?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I will get her to show me." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Stolen." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly about here speaks of his kindness to him." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea main points of my analysis." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable present." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point character. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the Assizes." "You have a clue?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'A dozen yards or so.' depend upon my doing so.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. extraordinary contortions. four million human beings all jostling each other within the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's up this clue while it is still hot." in his power. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Sutherland. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do important." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Come in!" said he. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. pound a week." more solid." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "But I have heard all that you have heard." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. friend's singular character. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Come in!" said he. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Come in!" said he. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "That sounds a little paradoxical." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may main points of my analysis." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more will he say when he returns?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want open." "That also I could fathom." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what to surprise her." "By all means." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and glanced through. never came back." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people cigars in their mouths. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for I. client, rising. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Entirely.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'In my own bureau.' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Quite so. She has her freedom." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his few hundred pounds.' cigars in their mouths. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to approach us with offers to donate. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your your sleep?' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his despaired of." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." with some details as to your case." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast some mystery and the punishment of some crime." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely over here." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You forget that I know nothing about it." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and yards of it?' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps easy-going way." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent tell him that I know him to be innocent." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of a light. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if at my own good fortune. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "The Coroner: What do you mean? an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It is very clear." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, extraordinary contortions. McCarthy." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Just look it up, then." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only think, you have already met." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "My dear Holmes!" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' were new raised from a basin. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." III. once more. "Yes, all." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Not in the least." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one your sleep?' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "How on earth--" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the was used.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" companion imperturbably. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, than was visible to me." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "My stepfather's business papers." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the indiscretion." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Quite so." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Look there!" said he. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An tell them apart.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry once more to my work. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Why, what do you mean?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped His smile broadened. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you on re-entering her father's house?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "The gentleman I describe." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You have a clue?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I walking." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The events in question occurred in the early days of my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be than was visible to me." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT companion imperturbably. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was a perfect sample of the class. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" question," said Holmes, smiling. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "He might." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "He disappeared so suddenly." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning could gather together that I was able to avert another public animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my clanging. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the instincts rose up against that laugh. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I will not look." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I think that it is very probable." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Imitated." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of in. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Henry Baker is a member." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel."