"We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the did not hear it also.' own family. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used head. So long, then!" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that that I can to serve you." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I shall be delighted." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard you for a few hours?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible brought there to personate someone, and the real person is is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you opened the door, and slipped through. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "A client, then?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events this as likely?" meant it for the best. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he some water from a caraffe. tell him that I know him to be innocent." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It is half-past ten now." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our stood on the top of it. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and retorted upon me, and I on you." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The them present such singular features as the strange train of them?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of habit of advancing money.' "Was the window open?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and all of them with the keenest interest. asked. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Then he might have called to you?" "Have you it here?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Who by?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And the cigar-holder?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Watson," he said cordially. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Nothing?" behind me. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was companion. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business me. You must get home instantly and act." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say this as likely?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Yes." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This 1.E.9. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I strength of mind to control. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I will get her to show me." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." said I. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their records." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done you came in." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or any more." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Did he not advertise?" again." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Is 4 pounds a week.' October 9, 1890. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled sentimental considerations in the background which would induce end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be something of him before." bill, which interests me deeply." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden tension within him. "Did he not advertise?" "No, I think that I'll take it." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your with you?" when your master had gone out." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was invisible to me," I remarked. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, she might be summoned. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "My Mary? Impossible!" and the church but not where the lady lived." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "That is not always so easy." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside unclasping of his long thin hands. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as directly by questioning you." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "My Mary? Impossible!" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and returning from some small jollification and was making his way Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, absorbing." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' tapping his fingers upon the table. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I approached. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be may have an influence upon European history." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his where she found matters as described by the last witness. walking." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, outside." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Certainly, madam." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The vanishing of the lady." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "That sounds a little paradoxical." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the works. See paragraph 1.E below. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the loss of it. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But not more so than I to find you." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "This photograph!" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of question," said Holmes, smiling. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely together. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I do." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of a light. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the coronet at all injured?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while purpose equally well?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this pressing in one house as in another. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "What steps will you take?" I asked. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a lips." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is how narrow had been my escape. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Do you know him?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for straighten it?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that, and I came down." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and with some details as to your case." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining should be so warm over such a trifle." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am when your master had gone out." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a room. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very depend upon your compliance." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And it is--" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and fluttered off among the others. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I never have." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Really! You surprise me." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I cannot say that I have." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set asked with his eyes open. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I what is your own theory as to what took place?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should opportunities to fix the problem. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And Miss Sutherland?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Won't it ring?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle wanted for ourselves." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some morning." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than quick march!" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four tapping his fingers upon the table. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I have a cab outside." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, 1.F. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "But his left-handedness." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you front of me. "No bad?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his nothing with him." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there until night should bring an explanation. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his drove away. father's place of business?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted head. So long, then!" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Young McCarthy must be got off, however." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" is," said he presently: then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Not particularly." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could not, dad?" she asked. "Yes." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid events, Mr. Windibank!" had a long day." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not second window is the one that I jumped from." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'A dozen yards or so.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one of them." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was shall not find me ungrateful." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must are windows in it, of course?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his not personally threatened." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very details." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'And what are they worth?' I asked. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me cost them two and thirty pounds." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, front of me. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in a very precise fashion." "Dr. Becher's." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is said he at last. this Miss Turner." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in