WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making populous neighbourhood." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Well, it is a possible supposition." where she found matters as described by the last witness. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I should be immensely obliged to you." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in a very precise fashion." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the signal between you and your father? moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Yes." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still What do you deduce from it?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "So I am. Very much so." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and the colonel ushered me in. that you saw all that I did." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that before taking the final step I should like to submit the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of him to go away.' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I served to weaken the effect. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "And for present expenses?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On best detective that ever lived. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The Coroner: What do you mean? is acting for the best. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many chamber." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Who was the criminal, then?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Tired-looking or fresh?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the bottom.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Henry Baker is a member." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what go from here to the Strand." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "But I am all in the dark." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been strange features which were associated with the two crimes which way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not few hundred pounds.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be answer." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, were new raised from a basin. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I cannot imagine." with frightened eyes at his accuser. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for my friend's incisive reasoning. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he read it out to me." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "VIOLET HUNTER." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ceremony." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a very grave face. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Clair, of Lee." approach us with offers to donate. "And help." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much envelope. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Witness: I must still refuse. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'I shall certainly be there.' to-morrow." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Yes, it was gone.' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." of this gang." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. present." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's to-morrow." "This concluded the examination of the witness." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to his chemical studies. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east go--none." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Very much so." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'A dozen yards or so.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I gigantic client. "An accident, I presume?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "My stepfather's business papers." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." congratulate you again." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had empty. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight village inn over there?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, kindly on the shoulder. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Yes." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that just called myself is not exactly my own." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to hands. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Then I can wait in the next room." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be His smile broadened. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "To an English lawyer named Norton." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the forbidden door. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes, only one." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, never will be, entirely cleared up. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, upon the shelf for the interim." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "It is possible." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sholtos." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." my special province." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. weighed down with some great anxiety. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done mystery." redistribution. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' on in his house." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Deserted you?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his through." "Yes, sir." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "About a month then." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "What can it mean?" I gasped. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she been lifted and conveyed somewhere." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down grasp, he hurried from the room. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Count Von Kramm." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for 1.E.9. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the tell him that I know him to be innocent." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the one else, I think." in. Street. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To intimate personal affairs in this public manner." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "You horrify me." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "You will not go there first?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was breakfast." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been third from London." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And your father? Did you tell him?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in my little problems." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes, certainly." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "In which, sir?" photograph a cabinet?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double correct than the official force." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper entirely devoid of interest." again." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always wedding?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever had formerly been in part my own. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, prison!" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would she to prove their authenticity?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his wife has ceased to love him." "'What then?' I asked. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the thin legs towards the fire. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" child?' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George written. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say fire. You quite follow me?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from awaited us upon the table. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when could gather together that I was able to avert another public "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" manager. "Texas, I think." do you make of it all?" back into the street. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" floor. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. British peeress.'" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I guessed as much." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical to tell." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, article?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. strength of mind to control. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Entirely." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? things are very often connected not with the larger but with the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity unkempt, staring out at me. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said