Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the miles off. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included purpose equally well?" "It was an hour's good drive." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no keep the flames under. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that him to be an active member of the medical profession." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who as yours." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy written, and locked the door of the office after me. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I will try. What is it?" lost nothing by them." "'Never,' said I. said I. this Miss Turner." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out instituted." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "On Monday." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Pray do so." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the dramatic, in fact." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." mysterious business." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those some place of shelter and let the county police know what has town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "To the police?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "You horrify me." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard sentimental considerations in the background which would induce are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to face and glided from the room. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." tell me that you intended to go into harness." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any had formerly been in part my own. have been better. It is all right." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "So it appears." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer weary and pale-looking. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud spare." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." made him keep the appointment." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "And Miss Sutherland?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "And the murderer?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held when your master had gone out." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Yes." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "A thing like a cleaver," said he. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, would apply.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the My friend smiled. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "She will not sell." as noiselessly as she had come. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Dirty?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "But how?" "Never." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about bearing upon the case." "The doctor?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The events in question occurred in the early days of my "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Certainly." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the coroner come to?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "No." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you there is a decided draught." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and night.' said he. some water from a caraffe. records." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the you, my dear young lady?' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the it means?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You is worth.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would sake, don't!" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman made his money." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes, it would be as well." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I am following you closely," I answered. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Most admirably.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "He disappeared so suddenly." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is a very grave face. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, certainly do as you advise." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the bears upon the case?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign lumber-room." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Where, then, is my wife?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I approached. "And why?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one else, I think." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the question. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my noble correspondent could be. "Where did you address your letters, then?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless bedroom door." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of lamp in his hand. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, kindly on the shoulder. shoulder. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Why that?' I asks. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Nothing." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some wall." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he him!" asked with his eyes open. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and interests were the same as his." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I shall most certainly do so." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton bears upon the case?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." away into the river." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or would apply.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "You have but to name it." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not have been better. It is all right." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on highly," said Holmes. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window not personally threatened." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be were wasted." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them six. Come in!" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the inquest, and which are worth considering." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make he died? "'A dozen yards or so.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "What?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of question. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Yes." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." strong reason behind." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." indeed which he could not unravel. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. hopeless attempt at recovering them." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "She told me to ask you." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and see me here to avoid scandal." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Your presence might be invaluable." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "So it appears." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "The knees of his trousers." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" thirty. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like new duties?' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was conceal it?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Count Von Kramm." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I came to find a friend." gbnewby@pglaf.org this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Of what?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Witness: I must still refuse. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'There is a drive, then?' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "You horrify me!" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If right! Sit down and let us talk it over." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been along the entire front of the house, with three long windows bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea neither fascinating nor artistic." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Very much so." derbies." there." pierced for earrings?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his attention." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the electronic works certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. fatally injured?