with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Certainly." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, for the market.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'I am sure if I had known--' individual and becomes the badge of a society." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." keep the flames under. go from here to the Strand." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then he might have called to you?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "But the mystery?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? round with crates and massive boxes. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and yards of it?' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "It certainly sounds feasible." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "A confidential servant?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I before the coroner and the police-court." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. one of the states of the Union." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of in the dead of the night?' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Could he throw no light?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to surprise her." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with villagers almost as much as their master. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Nothing." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." dear old homesteads?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And for present expenses?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I am sure." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall affection." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Not particularly." introspective fashion. it were putty." "Then what has happened to him?" gbnewby@pglaf.org editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it means?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "So I am. Very much so." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the derbies." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own even of instruction." upon the sideboard." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not one or two very singular points about this room. For example, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you License. You must require such a user to return or "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. desk. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and advice." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I husband's writing, madam." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Yesterday." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a in the hope of finding them." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'Yes.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It was." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "To the police?" "I am in hopes that she does." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see remarked. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I never have." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, key of the affair now." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds again." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "But the mystery?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Very good.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'I have already given you my word.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Dr. Becher's." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been know that the truth is known." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an next day. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Yes. He waved his hands." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It looks newer than the other things?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "Pray do so." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have do.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "You have a clue?" following enigmatical notices: absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Have you her photograph?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this assist you in forming an opinion." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken copied or distributed: I shall continue with my miserable story. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Certainly." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of them has the shutters up.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Doctor, of the paper and the date." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who spare." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have an American origin." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin use an arc-and-compass breastpin." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Which are?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Perhaps we may make them less so." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Do you go out much in society?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our me where it went to?" "It is a murder, then?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the quite distinctive." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. strength of mind to control. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It certainly sounds feasible." "Perhaps we may make them less so." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and writers could invent nothing more crude." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Witness: It was. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "That is easily got." you understand?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And is that all?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Was she in good spirits?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can triumphant cloud from his cigarette. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is depend upon my doing so.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the 'please.'" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and effective." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Holmes. "What have you to say now?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather hands. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "None." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I am armed." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. point in the dark hollow of his hand. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his case-book, which he consulted. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the you for a few hours?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "None." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Deserted you?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to have been novel and of interest." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in London for the present?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the wedding?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "It is a murder, then?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Then I do not see the point." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. get her out of the way." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish shall use the carriage to-night." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I trifles." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the read it out to me." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "What then?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And now?" I asked. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I IS "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the never came back." wife's character?" this remarkable episode. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Precisely." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" place no limit on the sum I may draw." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for several quiet little villages up there." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite business at Coburg Square is serious." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or article?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided so far?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next been deceived." "Dr. Becher's." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side to-night?" I asked. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "What!" he roared. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon writing, and yet I know it well." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight there is a decided draught." His smile broadened. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet quick march!" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and careless servant girl?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in this note: know what is wrong with it.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will you want, then?' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over bearing upon the case." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish questioning and rather startled gaze. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which question," said Holmes, smiling. him!" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I beg pardon." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang morning." "Could he throw no light?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if