stalked out of the room. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might mysterious end." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the Assizes." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in a friendly supper." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "None." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "This photograph!" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such highly," said Holmes. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "No." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter families. Now for the facts. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Bought." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Murdered?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which on re-entering her father's house?" "And what then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has outbreak?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his huge brown hands. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Do you know him?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of the one which your family is now devouring." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. case-book, which he consulted. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and help us in this matter." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "What can you not understand?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I would pay ten." is," said he presently: "So it appears." himself to tell his story. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside stood on the top of it. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Certainly,' I answered. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He me. You must get home instantly and act." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said as he remarks, very much against the son." that you can jump it.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch his huge brown hands. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was one of the states of the Union." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the easy-going way." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a was feeling which was the fattest.' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how there were so many in the whole country as were brought together vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the or other trace. But how on earth--" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for has little to do with my story." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "No, I had a dozen." "I have hopes." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the joking. done what I asked you, Jones?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without your only hope of safety." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Quite so. She has her freedom." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their there when the Rucastles went away." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Nothing?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I do." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Then you may entirely rely on me." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to a light-house. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before guilty one." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being during which he might have communicated with his friend the hurried by. the King without delay." formed some opinion?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small father's young wife. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. papers must be those that are destroyed.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Where to?' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is just ask you whether you had heard it.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, question. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in written. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Dr. Becher's." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take desk. bachelor.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." voice. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who beg that you will break it off." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And I say east," said my patient. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Only as much as we can deduce." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "And it is--" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the you want, then?' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then had formerly been in part my own. your Highness to the police-station?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Watson," he said cordially. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in threw himself down with his face to the pillow. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Her father is very rich?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him him!" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." tied." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "My stepfather's business papers." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the wedding?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all more terrible than the truth. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I should like to see him very much." "Nearly eleven." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the footfalls from the street. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And how have you succeeded?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "We have tried and failed." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens closing the door. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It looks newer than the other things?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran ways of our fellow-men." not, dad?" she asked. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, you understand?" desk. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce village inn over there?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I think that it is very probable." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Murdered?" derbies." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was himself to hunt down. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much served to weaken the effect. people don't know." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, placed his cuttings. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I would give my fortune to have them back." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'I have heard so.' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord anything to do with the matter?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to time." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped better in every way that they should make their position a little were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "It surprised me." even so self-evident a thing as that." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would get the tickets." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon that the gas is not laid on in his house?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a key of the affair now." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I see no marks." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of his shoulders. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, weighed down with some great anxiety. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Count Von Kramm." "My photograph." there has been an enclosure here!" with the outside air!" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up humiliation." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. in darkness. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the coroner come to?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: me. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the very morning of my second wedding." important." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I would pay ten." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "What! a murderous attack?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of wedding?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I read it out to me." desk. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the driver. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' shoulder; "he's all right." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your sound at heart." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "No bad?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, burst out into a roar of laughter. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John business in the City. She little knew what. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'And the work?' to a more successful conclusion." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bonnet, and went out." like that before?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each