firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Have you good authority for what you say?" the so-precious time, but come!' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in vault. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Will you bet, then?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Precisely so. But how--" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, felt?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Yes, sir.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of Mr. Rucastle's." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "What then?" "It is possible." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Yes, there are nearly always some there." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, she used." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first formed some opinion?" "Breckinridge is his name." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and all of them with the keenest interest. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It was." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. nothing of it?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I will not look." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On unprecedented a position." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I had died away into the silence from which it rose. politicians who had been sent down from the North. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us pressing in one house as in another. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the strength." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, affection." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." carriage. It was a chestnut." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated read over the extraordinary announcement. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must gone. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Quite so. She has her freedom." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Yes, it was gone.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about any." minor matters until to-morrow." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be vault. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to arrive at through this?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the tragedy. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed seem to you to be relevant or not." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'I am sure that I do not know.' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his forehead." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hardly wander." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the stood on the top of it. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Was your sister dressed?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it union?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." floor. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp child?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, disturbance in my wife." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "But what will you do?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Will you go?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for any." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the very morning of the wedding." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been views." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off wife's character?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge him and tried to hold him back. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that crime. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining call the police, let the police find what they can.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out floor. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very old mansion. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'Oh, no.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Is 4 pounds a week.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he or in danger--" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of ordinary clothes on?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see shoulder; "he's all right." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But the mystery?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sparkled upon his finger. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I shall communicate with you." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "And Miss Sutherland?" "Certainly." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yes." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. papers." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that events than those which have happened in my own family." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Yes." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and cause to be." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the helping a boy to put up the shutters. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the newspaper selections." shall not find me ungrateful." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss events than those which have happened in my own family." Chief Executive and Director again before evening." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Ha! you find it so?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the your sleep?' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "That is easily got." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who be best to do. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fluttered off among the others. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want she slowly sank and died without having recovered her The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two your most interesting statement." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little this as likely?" "I will not look." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And leave your case unfinished?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. about here speaks of his kindness to him." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Deserted you?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about with the outside air!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "None." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then 'I should be able to look after that for you.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. wedding?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case when you have done it." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I happened." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "How are you getting on?" observed. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the I leave." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Where does the thing come from?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his huge brown hands. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "And Miss Sutherland?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "He disappeared so suddenly." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." which it had come upon my father." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up house for five minutes.' which our visitor detailed to us. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Of Friday, June 19th." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. indiscretion." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It may not come to that," said Holmes. him and tried to hold him back. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to best detective that ever lived. closely." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I am armed." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Did your wife hear all this?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "My stepfather's business papers." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I was concerned in it." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I came to find a friend." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was fled together." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Stolen." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up said he, "my real name is James Ryder." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, national property. I was determined that the law should have its could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Pray be precise as to details," said he. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off do you make of it all?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, be.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the to arrive at through this?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual