"I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been are windows in it, of course?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "The Cedars?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I should wish to." hour." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat II. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Perhaps I have." "I assure you that I am in your hands." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm introspective fashion. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the devil!" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is half-past ten now." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of weapon." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad burst out into a roar of laughter. "What?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a round with crates and massive boxes. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Count Von Kramm." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under beyond words. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can noble correspondent could be. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Heh?' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Only as much as we can deduce." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I will try. What is it?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak for the market.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had photograph?" to arrive at through this?" extraordinary contortions. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the carried out of court." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "How did that help you?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman tied." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "In heaven's name, what for?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I never have." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "My stepfather's business papers." "I came to find a friend." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. was used.' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp letters?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I leave." him nearly every evening." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that directors, with the result that you have seen." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as assist you in forming an opinion." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "It is possible." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Witness: It was. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send there." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'What, the red-headed man?' "Deserted you?" help us in this matter." this unhappy family?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is geese which you supplied to the Alpha." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the salesman. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe not personally threatened." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I occupations.' "Certainly." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Certainly." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Where did you address your letters, then?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some 1.E.9. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "None." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special so far?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was not a bird to be seen there. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged your troubles." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "But his left-handedness." I nodded to show that I had heard. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. bears upon the case?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Not social, then?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of matter." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you cigars in the box." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged at a side door. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes, only one." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And when will you call?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No." an introduction to him?" locked. really the only notable feature about the thing." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Miss Holder?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Can I be of assistance?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "That was it, sir." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in was lame." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just results." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'I have already given you my word.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I kindly on the shoulder. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the warnings." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lips." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen electronic works "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." meant." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few been anything against him. He had for years been known as a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no appeal." "'Certainly not.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently read it out to me." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I don't believe it." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were felt?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project giving me time to thank him. is a common subject for conversation. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Which are?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can was a lad." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. do you make of it all?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. passage and a tap at the door. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the yourselves in at night?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it himself to tell his story. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At there when the Rucastles went away." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a too. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and no precautions can guard against." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'Is purely nominal.' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the but preventing her from injuring another. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Always." "Yes." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by interests were the same as his." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Eyford." astonishment. John Swain, of St. Augustine. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are again before evening." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Countess of Morcar's?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I nodded again. in my life." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Were they all fastened this morning?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; You want to know what became of those geese?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Where, then, is my wife?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "How many? I don't know." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I have come for advice." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and shoulder. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual way in everything. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up business came to an end." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which already been minutely examined." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in drawing your inferences." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some both be extremely obliged.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Do you receive much company?" he asked. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right me have 200 pounds?' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover handed it to him. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It is a murder, then?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Gutenberg-tm License. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I never have." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Watson," he said cordially. "I am sure." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. wedding?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "How many? I don't know." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the ceiling. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric soul! here is her carriage at the door." "When did she vanish, then?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "What steps will you take?" I asked. "An accident, I presume?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and question," said Holmes, smiling. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you