web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the drove away. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the room while you explain this matter?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I say it is." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two from you?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "That is possible." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more never came back." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There you found me to-night--and running through the front room she He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered go from here to the Strand." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which suggested at once that there must be a communication between the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Edgeware Road. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "No, distinctly professional." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and be. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business hereditary King of Bohemia." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all his eyes and forehead. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." he bowed and left the room without another word. new duties?' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "What then?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly is acting for the best. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Won't it ring?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Again Holmes raved in the air. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'There is a drive, then?' his face which made him a very different person to the round, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case woman." existence." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I have my revolver," said I. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "My dear Holmes!" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight late." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if points to suicide?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Pool. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Then I do not see the point." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes." "And sit in the dark?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "ARAT," I read. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort away into the river." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom trying to your nerves." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. been shamefully used." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's newspaper selections." "What office?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to minor matters until to-morrow." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I do." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his way: be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, British peeress.'" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." DISSOLVED. what these perils are?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle down. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Then how many are there?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, emerged. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "No." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the so-precious time, but come!' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy highly," said Holmes. me what he had done with the three missing stones. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, with some details as to your case." "None. Neville wrote those words." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the one as in the other." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, outside. "To an English lawyer named Norton." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade which it had come upon my father." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when will he say when he returns?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which intrusion of other matters." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lumber-room." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the inquest, and which are worth considering." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have one." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I is acting for the best. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Her father is very rich?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Then how many are there?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, bird I ate is country bred." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this from the brougham. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past for and were ordered to this address. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to really the only notable feature about the thing." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy knowledge of the world." gigantic client. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Yes." "No bad?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little The note was undated, and without either signature or address. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "How about poison?" is a common subject for conversation. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, in. photograph?" my former friend and companion. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my peculiar to him. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was had died away into the silence from which it rose. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. criminal. We have already had experience of such." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the King without delay." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was new acquaintance to Baker Street. "My dear Holmes!" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Was the window open?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord in him." "'Why that?' I asks. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" I approached. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of http://www.gutenberg.net foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Certainly, madam." trifles." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "The Coroner: What do you mean? son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and the whole place is in a blaze." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "What can you not understand?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg sufficient punishment." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. upon a handsome competence. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was man. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they three fields round his house, and there he would take his came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "To an English lawyer named Norton." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." pressing in one house as in another. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Nearly eleven." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "We must sit without light. He would see it through the charge against him will break down." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it everything which you would wish to know." a suggestive one." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side instincts rose up against that laugh. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." extraordinary contortions. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look because she had spent so short a time in this country that she that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We it with his own hands." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one for its centre. "Never to return." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Proceed, then." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement when your master had gone out." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. washing it down with a long draught of water. "The knees of his trousers." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but gone. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And your father? Did you tell him?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "He slept on the premises." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Very much so." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the nonsense.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her in darkness. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Chief Executive and Director that I may have something better before very many minutes are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'In my own bureau.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a young Openshaw's." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few used to be." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have recover the gem." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night."