him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Then how many are there?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I came to find a friend." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" visitors." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my http://gutenberg.net/license). "I am following you closely," I answered. "That also I could fathom." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and for the market.' the Red-headed League." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." voice, changing her seat as requested. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl of them has the shutters up.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, compunction about shooting them down." you?' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the despaired of." very old mansion. then?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in present." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an forebodings. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Nothing." "One of the highest in England." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "What do you mean?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, sir." them present such singular features as the strange train of notes," he said. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked you?' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fuss that is made over them." photograph?" "The Cedars?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. colonel looking down at me. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of morning." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "How did that help you?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "My stepfather's business papers." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Is he quiet?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Very good.' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Thank you. And your address?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to a more successful conclusion." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman as yours." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry ill-usage at the hands of fortune. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "And how did you verify them?" "Pray do so." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he you understand?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You are all wrong." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." instituted." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I am still in the dark." Munro.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will compunction about shooting them down." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which wedding?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "10th. John Swain cleared. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "The rest you will leave in our hands." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the open." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and all of them with the keenest interest. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. shall not find me ungrateful." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with pressing in one house as in another. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I don't say that. Perhaps." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is a murder, then?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It must be recovered." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the so.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It's nothing of the kind." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "One of the highest in England." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For in the port of London." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and it need not interfere very much with one's other the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I am to be neutral?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Where did he live, then?" whereabouts. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the general public were present, then?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "To an English lawyer named Norton." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very in the dead of the night?' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What have you to say now?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would recover the gem." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue disturbance in my wife." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, there." I took the paper from him and read as follows: his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. invisible to me," I remarked. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in always that they were such commands as a lady might with erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to tackle the facts." I shall communicate with you." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came him nearly every evening." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Holmes' thin, eager face. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential triumphant cloud from his cigarette. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes, he did." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate time." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "What, then?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door presented more singular features than that which was associated been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of come either from the window or the door. My attention was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was cigars in their mouths. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "A call for help, you thought?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'What, the red-headed man?' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "He is still with you, I presume?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the is so. I know all about McCarthy." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered obstinate." arrangements." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform once more. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "He slept on the premises." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fasten all the windows?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have lost his Christmas dinner." papers." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I will try. What is it?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Here?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed is so. I know all about McCarthy." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "And now?" He raised his hand. were new raised from a basin. "What is it?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring putting in the horse. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful business in the City. She little knew what. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what my special province." to you." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the look upon these things in a different way." them present such singular features as the strange train of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Was there a secret marriage?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of prepare for the new role I have to play." your billet.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now other, as fresh and trim as possible. "But his left-handedness." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, matter." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I cannot tell." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The you want, then?' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "What shall I do?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him lectures into a series of tales." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those invisible to me," I remarked. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "My own seal." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. think that any burglar could have done. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I was sure that I might rely on you." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some troubles have been weighing upon his mind. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have October 9, 1890. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. upon the sideboard." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire shoulder. "9th. McCauley cleared. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Holmes' face clouded over. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Literary Archive Foundation entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You saw the ventilator, too?" key of the affair now." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "BALLARAT." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Henry Baker is a member." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel touch that coronet?' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "What are they?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention.