upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the fear." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he colour had been driven from his face. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the best of training." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, way: "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking laugh and put his lips to my ear. posted to-day." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His within hail.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But what harm can there be in that?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced business?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love father's place of business?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can discontent upon his features. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, ceremony." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing point our research must commence, and we will begin it by since then to throw any light upon what became of him." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate him to go away.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon sparkled upon his finger. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Pray do so." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining one's self under obligations.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'There is a drive, then?' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or chance." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Absolutely none." appeared upon the scene." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! woman." bonnet, and went out." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more politicians who had been sent down from the North. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that so.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to away into the river." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to arrive at through this?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging look dissatisfied." taking in every detail of the apartment. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I see many objections to any such theory." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been an introduction to him?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the outside. nonsense.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Is purely nominal.' derbies." in one or two places in England?' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You know me, then?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be his fortune, and I went back to pa. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of your young ladies.' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I have hopes." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Then I shall certainly come." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself nights." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if get her out of the way." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, I am descending." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I through." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and appeared upon the scene." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a http://www.gutenberg.net calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 locked." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to-night?' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Henry Baker is a member." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the him to be an active member of the medical profession." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Because he was handy and would come cheap." friends, not even his own brother. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "And why in hopes?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Always." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that everything which you would wish to know." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in the dead of the night?' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down bonnet, and went out." "Then, as to money?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'I have heard so.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You have a clue?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at maiden herself was most instructive." up this clue while it is still hot." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "At half-wages, in fact." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now detective. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock must compliment you." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "No." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You are all wrong." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. with you?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his in this way: 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." forbidden door. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Heh?' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Were they all fastened this morning?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been up this clue while it is still hot." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the note?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'Oh, no.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and who was a member of your goose club." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon brought there to personate someone, and the real person is signal between you and your father? my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to whereabouts. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like License. You must require such a user to return or nonsense.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Street. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "None." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "No, finished." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'I am sure that I do not know.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "But I am all in the dark." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of note-paper. It read in this fashion: doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very bonnet, and went out." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! his knees, staring into the fire. "My last client of the sort was a king." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: spark where all is dark to me." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' page at http://pglaf.org the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "What shall I do?" "That was it, sir." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian for the market.' ceremony." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" electronic works in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the intrusion of other matters." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it present." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the room while you explain this matter?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow interest. They are important, you understand, without being facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that power." manager. laugh and put his lips to my ear. followed. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few had picked up in the wood. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can My friend smiled. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, IS "My dear Holmes!" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs October 9, 1890. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of eavesdroppers?' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good even so self-evident a thing as that." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That way in." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the have established a very serious case against the son of the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. pressing in one house as in another. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ventilator." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, you." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is child?' a room. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society there!' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was congratulate you again." said he. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I am still in the dark." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and no precautions can guard against." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the not fit the lock." "But she will refuse." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in a friendly supper." "Not in the least." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his grey eyes. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But what harm can there be in that?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I cannot tell." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but for and were ordered to this address. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "How many? I don't know." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something McCarthy." "She will not sell." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon promised to bring home. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had following enigmatical notices: elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more said I. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "He said too much." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the little opening for the ventilator is." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at bachelor.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, drove away. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed attention."