would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "But you have hopes?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I so.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern chance." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as My friend smiled. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been when you have done it." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I will try. What is it?" Pool. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "You are hungry," I remarked. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Upon what point?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are His name is Francis Prosper." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "One of his hands." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the room while you explain this matter?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was front of me. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark know all about it," he snarled. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid footfalls from the street. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking six. Come in!" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Was she in good spirits?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had notes," he said. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that in the hope of finding them." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought along the entire front of the house, with three long windows large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you ways of our fellow-men." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which details." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Only as much as we can deduce." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Come in!" said Holmes. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'There is a drive, then?' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about call you and give you the chance." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple problems help me to do so." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Why did you pick him?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity newspaper selections." question. "Pray do so." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was woven round him. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another that he will be back before evening." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You were travelling in the States?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad derbies." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "What then?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." little trying to do so much typewriting?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Always." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of other, as fresh and trim as possible. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and persecution?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the him!" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you guilty one." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper happened." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Then you may be so with me." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Then I am your man." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, views." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the chambers. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey goes." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Well, some hundreds of times." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you do.' emerged. gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the tragedy. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your individual and becomes the badge of a society." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'I am sure if I had known--' spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul wedding?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which bearing upon the case." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no guilty parties." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely locked. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "And that is--" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east maiden herself was most instructive." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "So I am. Very much so." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you not come at once?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a certainly do as you advise." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "No, I am descending." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "You are all wrong." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of it with the greatest attention. "The vanishing of the lady." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled your troubles." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Then I shall certainly come." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his prison!" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the hair?' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of promised to bring home. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at just called myself is not exactly my own." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; some water from a caraffe. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'A dozen yards or so.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Pray continue your narrative." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal have not had my rubber." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Your French gold?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry works. it with his own hands." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a it. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Yes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas gbnewby@pglaf.org smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a foot. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "None." "Yes, certainly." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden suspect him." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the it." meant it for the best. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked used to be." that, and I came down." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to-night's adventure." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and looked back. sneer upon his pale face. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to side. "And I." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But chamber." what is your own theory as to what took place?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hurried by. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at fact, we may call it conclusive." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the whole matter to your consideration." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It is half-past ten now." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope this as likely?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. most interesting one." this as likely?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Pray continue your narrative." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his grey eyes. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no as yours." "'Quite sure, dad.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "And I." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a figure." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport sound at heart." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Well, it is a possible supposition." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of see me here to avoid scandal." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "The doctor?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It