what these perils are?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Then, as to money?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He shoulder; "he's all right." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George it with his own hands." Henry Baker is a member." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gentleman's clothes. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "That is possible." whatever might befall. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He might." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of miles off. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is searched, without anything being found which could incriminate unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and a shock of very red hair. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and capable of preserving a secret.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I cannot say that I have." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ways of our fellow-men." "Married! When?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "But how?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Did your wife hear all this?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two delirious. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "You are all wrong." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a brandy and water within his reach. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "But he might be a bachelor." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And what then?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the this remarkable episode. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' he bowed and left the room without another word. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "In heaven's name, what for?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "What then?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The best possible." legal crime." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the ceiling. residence of the great financier. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and that he would see to anything that turned up. you for a few hours?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to straighten it?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Not I." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Yes." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great question you as to those details which seem to me to be most see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us a suggestive one." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and wait." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled acquaintance?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary where we are going." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a room had already been engaged for us. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been attention." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Thank you. Pray proceed." "At what time?" orange pips. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had cigar and let me expound." chance at all." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. pressing in one house as in another. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Perhaps we may make them less so." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to that open window." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were IS "Always." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "My Mary? Impossible!" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Really! You surprise me." "But you were on a friendly footing?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "You have carte blanche." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate said I. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your handed it to him. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return behind me. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in his hands." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I am sure." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "The knees of his trousers." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet sofa. This way, please!" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the outside." may have an influence upon European history." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard lost his Christmas dinner." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy this poor creature." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been married her." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her The summons was a brief and urgent one. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from maid will bring up your coffee." "I will, Miss Turner." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled at my own good fortune. You want to know what became of those geese?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been once more to my work. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Well, some hundreds of times." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that may have an influence upon European history." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "It is solved." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our helping a boy to put up the shutters. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Yes, it was twisted." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other said he. "What can you not understand?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles that I am arrested." "What!" he roared. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Then the page we have seen--" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "How often?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is bonnet, and went out." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every giving me time to thank him. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door spark where all is dark to me." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "On your arm?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Was she in good spirits?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "You are all wrong." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "How did he come?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The summons was a brief and urgent one. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and this remarkable episode. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have ourselves in the office." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. do." your co-operation." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" if only as a check to my own memory." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two made his money." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hair?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Holmes' thin, eager face. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I will get her to show me." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I cannot tell." unprofitable." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I think, you have already met." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It came here." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I see many objections to any such theory." "But what is it you wish?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together joking. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible country, and eventually married, without anyone having a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of allusion to a rat. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the cigars in the box." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Then what has happened to him?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And from a noble client?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the laugh and put his lips to my ear. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "How often?" the matter." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. photograph a cabinet?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem nothing of it?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. enter into my head. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which