on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when again, where I was soon asleep. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and again on its way. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in leave you to your papers for a little." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Miss Holder?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "How about poison?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sound at heart." new acquaintance to Baker Street. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and put his glass in his pocket. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney shall not find me ungrateful." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of lost his Christmas dinner." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. room had already been engaged for us. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and yourselves in at night?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long secret." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I will, Miss Turner." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Dark enough and sinister enough." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of your young ladies.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the waste of energy." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, outbreak?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "ARAT," I read. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they crowd. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "From his hat?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a green of the new foliage. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from husband's writing, madam." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, friend's singular character. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on questionable one." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Indeed! Whose, then?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only examination of the premises, but without finding anything which carriage. It was a chestnut." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I warn you that they are very incomplete." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even putting in the horse. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where whatever might befall. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always said I. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What office?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham tied." my secret was safe in his possession. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Entirely." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help peculiar to him. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project note?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "And you don't know his address?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in mystery." "What I expected to see." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "That also I could fathom." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And how in the world did you find them?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I might have a private word with us. "'Oh, no.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." wanted for ourselves." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Certainly." "The murder was done with it." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'You cannot say what it was?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Munro.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of galvanised. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I see many objections to any such theory." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hereditary King of Bohemia." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "It certainly sounds feasible." his grey eyes. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds cigar and let me expound." "Here?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which legal crime." Munro.' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Quite sure, dad.' joking. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Pray do so." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to have that photograph." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "My stepfather's business papers." "But how?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which indiscretion." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned right! Sit down and let us talk it over." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Married! When?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for arrangements." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and said I. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after ourselves in the office." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I had this final quarrel? town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the so-precious time, but come!' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' matter over." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into unclasping of his long thin hands. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and compunction about shooting them down." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that it." "None." the driver. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "But she will refuse." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in him." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'As governess?' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Won't it ring?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise served to weaken the effect. man. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been of his shoulders. whole matter to your consideration." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are come either from the window or the door. My attention was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And how?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" towards the blaze. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I am following you closely," I answered. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope what do you think they found in the pockets?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "What, then, did Peterson do?" "None." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Most admirably.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself recover the gem." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I nodded to show that I had heard. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The doctor?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you in your example." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that he will be back before evening." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if were unconscious?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Can I be of assistance?" fattened it expressly for you.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Holmes. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Is purely nominal.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door companion. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we visitors." "I am armed." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the suspect him." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel whole matter to your consideration." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Just look it up, then." excitement. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I cannot imagine." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of with you alone." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "My Mary? Impossible!" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the to me. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: you found me to-night--and running through the front room she