settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in your bag." the salesman. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or voice, changing her seat as requested. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it better in every way that they should make their position a little into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Munro.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only do.' "How about poison?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off clanging. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his little trying to do so much typewriting?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was conversation I have gathered that they have been married about roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with whereabouts. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was golden eyeglasses. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have said he. good-night and bustled off upon her way. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. client, rising. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "10th. John Swain cleared. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a little more before I quite committed myself. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So like that before?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I took the paper from him and read as follows: "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have about. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had flock.' leaning back in his chair. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Pray continue your narrative." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry meant it for the best. the ceiling. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their second." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cause to be." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Then you may be so with me." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Witness: It was. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately giving me time to thank him. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Nothing." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and the whole place is in a blaze." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass way: attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "How are you getting on?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Dr. Becher's." straighten it?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he of them has the shutters up.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my directors, with the result that you have seen." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution written, and locked the door of the office after me. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his face which made him a very different person to the round, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." letters?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "How do you know, then?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless key turn in the lock." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from was already answered. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the see me here to avoid scandal." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing was used.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, about. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been few hundred pounds.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." as noiselessly as she had come. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and about. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." ready to-morrow?' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers said he at last. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak careless servant girl?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a speckled band?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he very morning of my second wedding." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit deduce something from that?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, breakfast." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say again on its way. "Yes, but only for you and me." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I should wish to." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at that you can jump it.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, colonel looking down at me. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his crackling voice. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Countess of Morcar's?" gone before you can get him to hospital." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Certainly,' I answered. least a fellow-countryman. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of time." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I shall be delighted." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so think that he is innocent?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wall." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I see no marks." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the loss of it. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change an introduction to him?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "The murder was done with it." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the dangers which encompass me." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Serpentine Avenue. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "But you have hopes?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after flock.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a few minutes he said that it would be all right. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, some city in a dream. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made villagers almost as much as their master. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Quite so. She has her freedom." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wedding?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the best of training." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." hardly wander." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "What?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue business matters.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. is now desirous of getting those letters back." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while had picked up in the wood. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore round with crates and massive boxes. "What?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a best detective that ever lived. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was garden below. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes, the wine-cellar." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the side-table." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately have got?" emerged. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the one as in the other." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him them?" shoulder. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott four million human beings all jostling each other within the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "He said too much." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a highroad, where all traces were lost. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something might help us?" more terrible than the truth. families. Now for the facts. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Your presence might be invaluable." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The peculiar to him. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Holmes' room. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I would give my fortune to have them back." not fit the lock." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. brandy and water within his reach. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your quite distinctive." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the extraordinary contortions. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "But to whom?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by cigars in the box." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents it means?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a tell him that I know him to be innocent." than was visible to me." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "What then?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and as noiselessly as she had come. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the if she died from some sudden fright." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "How can you tell that?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the Red-headed League." depend upon your compliance." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And why?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." opportunities to fix the problem. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Where, then?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very DAMAGE. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" redistribution. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first."