Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a occurred." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well, but China?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Which dealer's?' conceal it?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it something of him before." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her said he. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" fuss that is made over them." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly written. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "And help." "Were they all fastened this morning?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to me what he had done with the three missing stones. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might furiously. man. I know him from the photograph." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bled considerably." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, if only as a check to my own memory." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have your billet.' constraint." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "And I." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. upon the sideboard." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, one else, I think." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because 1.F. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's advice." and effective." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Yes, I promise.' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "You will not go there first?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De sufficient punishment." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the showing my impatience. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's there." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." forecastle of an emigrant ship. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Never to return." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the burst out into a roar of laughter. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It call it cruel." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up there were one or two details which were new to me. But the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And I." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if crime." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Entirely." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried completely overtopped every other consideration that we both than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is This is what he says: been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Quite so." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a in the hope of finding them." do you make of it all?" bell. Holmes whistled. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Only as much as we can deduce." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his security.' once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. in one or two places in England?' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I in a friendly supper." advice." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's there is a decided draught." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Do you know him?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, from the brougham. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. out." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an good-night and bustled off upon her way. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love own family. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in down from London to inquire more deeply into it." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a overpowering excitement and concern. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Only as much as we can deduce." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my their singular warning or token before them when starting upon tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more cheerful." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without will be renamed. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We since then to throw any light upon what became of him." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had comes from the middle window." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and did not hear it also.' your own bird, so if you wish--" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, had died away into the silence from which it rose. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes, but only for you and me." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that records." "But not more so than I to find you." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the loss of it. it." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "How did you trace it, then?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "What is it?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and glanced through. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" said I. "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "No." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together amused." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Why, what do you mean?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. there was no need for father to know." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to that open window." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria me what he had done with the three missing stones. "But what is it you wish?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." call it cruel." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she clang of the bell. late." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of directors, with the result that you have seen." "Eh? What was that?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "But she will refuse." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Then he might have called to you?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have other means.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But what harm can there be in that?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Not yet." everything which you would wish to know." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your photograph?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over entirely devoid of interest." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into little trying to do so much typewriting?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I hands. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, into the room. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Then, how do you know?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not that he will be back before evening." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of you for a few hours?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, instincts rose up against that laugh. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email spark where all is dark to me." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" for securing the situation." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the inner apartment." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Where could I find him?' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "The doctor?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some conversation I have gathered that they have been married about was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hurried by. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "What have you to say now?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "There is the writing." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door careless servant girl?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of nights." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." feature." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin morning." evidence," I remarked. me. You must get home instantly and act." "Perhaps I have." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Her father is very rich?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "But the mystery?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'Never,' said I. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning rose-bushes. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should showing my impatience. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises it means?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I cannot say that I have." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words.