considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was did not hear it also.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Yes, he did." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Gutenberg-tm License. key of the affair now." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would tell him that I know him to be innocent." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "To an end?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "She walked into the breakfast-room." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a me. delirious. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I should wish to." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece a good hundred miles off by now." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'I have already given you my word.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the one as in the other." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six room had already been engaged for us. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. wedding?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but me. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive this truth that in these little records of our cases which you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." must be when I saw the door open.' other lovers by making love himself." "We must have a cab." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Yes." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Eh? What was that?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I cannot imagine." entirely lost his self-respect." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "None. Neville wrote those words." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "You saw the ventilator, too?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout orange pips. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I think that I had better go, Holmes." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, have not had my rubber." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came go from here to the Strand." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the fear." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then the page we have seen--" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It is possible." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them IS "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in spare." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It certainly sounds feasible." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is possible." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will crackling voice. "The best possible." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! mystery may be cleared along those lines." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Perfectly so." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but straighten it?" Cross for the Continent." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our woman." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Did he not advertise?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen towards the blaze. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are present strange and interesting features that it is no easy schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, legal crime." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear anything to a woman, for she would have her way." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had friend's singular character. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my annoyance, but no jest. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have mystery!" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'I am sure if I had known--' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Were they all fastened this morning?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "The vanishing of the lady." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Yes." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Very much so." "The landlord of the Alpha." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I am not easy in my mind about them." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet off." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And now?" He raised his hand. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cigars in the box." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Serpentine Avenue. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. success. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. business at Coburg Square is serious." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your been shamefully used." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the waste of energy." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I all that?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent criminal. We have already had experience of such." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me arrested. You then--" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "No. What a strange idea!" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I am to be neutral?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fuss that is made over them." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! who was a member of your goose club." "And for present expenses?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower away in different directions, and I went off to make my own as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the suddenly upon us." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I should like to see him very much." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE disappearance of the bride.'" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned a few minutes he said that it would be all right. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own were unconscious?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and do." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, forecastle of an emigrant ship. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some purpose equally well?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my weigh very heavily upon my conscience." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we you." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Really! You surprise me." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'And the work?' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was footfalls from the street. my secret was safe in his possession. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of so.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every photograph?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow foresight and the moral retrogression?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of his shoulders. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "When did she vanish, then?" "Very murderous indeed." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "ARAT," I read. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'Quite sure, dad.' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy disappearance of these gems?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Chief Executive and Director never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a green of the new foliage. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "He might." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could bled considerably." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "If so, much may have happened between." be there in time for your coming." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "You horrify me!" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Project Gutenberg-tm works. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'You cannot say what it was?' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Yes." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Who was the criminal, then?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fatally injured? "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do asked with his eyes open. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But the mystery?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, little trying to do so much typewriting?" at my remark. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition you came in." enter Dr. Roylott's room." the roots. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all in a very precise fashion." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to For additional contact information: her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving lumber-room." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a hardly wander." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would a monotonous occupation." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon as noiselessly as she had come. cheerful." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, some hundreds of times." dead, shall be safe with us." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and a shock of very red hair. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "One horse?" interjected Holmes. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, him!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' became a certainty. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and it need not interfere very much with one's other call it cruel." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and without a word or a look. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel