my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the morning and make my own way in the world.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which soul! here is her carriage at the door." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with people don't know." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of the way of danger. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the address that was given us in the advertisement. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking recover the gem." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "ARAT," I read. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "My own seal." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Again Holmes raved in the air. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "The Cedars?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! information in his hands the value of which he did not himself served to weaken the effect. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' so far?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "None." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And your father? Did you tell him?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Yes, but only for you and me." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we who was a member of your goose club." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'And the work?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I have it here in my museum." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to Leatherhead. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a fatally injured? "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and laid it on the table. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and and looked back. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My to-night?' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit letters?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to a more successful conclusion." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual constraint." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and prosperity to your house. Good-night." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer your most interesting statement." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that you wished to speak to me?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." straighten it?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you in your example." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the house with me." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Witness: I must still refuse. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'Most admirably.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after if I call to-morrow?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small foot. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had skylight. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Holmes' thin, eager face. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all despair." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his horse could go." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let drove away. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a you in your example." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of shall not find me ungrateful." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I think that I could be of assistance to you." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I have my revolver," said I. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Stolen." "Ten will be early enough." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were your co-operation." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point into the bag, and made for the door. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." delighted to hear it," he said. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to have been novel and of interest." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of them has the shutters up.' skylight. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the works. See paragraph 1.E below. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not late!' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. success. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Just look it up, then." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow you want, then?' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed from you?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to confronted him. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his there in twenty minutes." papers." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the carriage. It was a chestnut." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "And I." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I union?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you writers could invent nothing more crude." note?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah been." in this note: however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "This photograph!" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce in the dead of the night?' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." you?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Yesterday." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I direction." "One?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And what did you learn from him?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "An enemy?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of quick march!" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No, my brougham is waiting." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had triumphant cloud from his cigarette. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, as he folded up the epistle. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Where did you address your letters, then?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "To the police?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is habit of advancing money.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the only touch the interest." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous undoubtedly my uncle's." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some exactly what you advise." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink other lovers by making love himself." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I breakfast?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of as he folded up the epistle. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a said he. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and as he folded up the epistle. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at that before taking the final step I should like to submit the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural purpose of examination. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine anything to do with the matter?" business at Coburg Square is serious." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the like that before?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable The police have openly confessed that they can at present make helping a boy to put up the shutters. he died? "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of it with the greatest attention. tension within him. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" several quiet little villages up there." chance." all-comprehensive glances. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Game for a morning drive?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is it means?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Just look it up, then." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me