turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "None. Neville wrote those words." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he said I. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had a good hundred miles off by now." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect returned to France?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Very. But will he see it?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "If so, much may have happened between." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases said I. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he spare." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." there!' had a long day." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Certainly." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular roused himself from his reverie. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length carriage. It was a chestnut." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Holmes' room. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed intimate personal affairs in this public manner." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London questionable one." speckled band?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital gone. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: giving me time to thank him. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Her father is very rich?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do bedroom door." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. what I may call a really hard day's work." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you what these perils are?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence feature." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'What, the red-headed man?' you in your example." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a very morning of my second wedding." "Did you observe the colour?" "Was he the only applicant?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Entirely.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "My stepfather's business papers." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Literary Archive Foundation hair?' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Certainly." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship returning from some small jollification and was making his way Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime went to the Alpha were town bred." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has chill to my heart. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any in a friendly supper." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Then you may entirely rely on me." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Yes, he did." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Yes, I promise.' said he. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards key turn in the lock." and all of them with the keenest interest. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "A client, then?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "In San Francisco, a year ago." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Could he throw no light?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Is purely nominal.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I beg pardon." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And now?" He raised his hand. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "No." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that strength in the others." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Married! When?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I am to be neutral?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or off." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote client, rising. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and a shock of very red hair. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small there was no need for father to know." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I approached. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the Friday. Was it to be in church?" affair. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No, but the enclosure is." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The vanishing of the lady." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the roots. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "10th. John Swain cleared. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable people don't know." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "That is possible." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Quite so." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "And on what day did he meet his death?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the leave you to your papers for a little." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." said I. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes, it would be as well." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I cannot say that I have." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Which are?" hurried away. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no our word." wedding?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I friend's singular character. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "What can it mean?" I gasped. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Nothing?" had picked up in the wood. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My dear Holmes!" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I have come for advice." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and no precautions can guard against." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And what did you learn from him?" fashion which was peculiar to him. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two all-comprehensive glances. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "My dear Holmes!" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was a lad." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from back to my heart. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in might help us?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the Red-headed League." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty skylight. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It certainly sounds feasible." entirely lost his self-respect." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that peculiar to him. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'Is 4 pounds a week.' noting anything else of interest. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her tear off another piece?' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen in. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying for its centre. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no his face which made him a very different person to the round, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Serpentine Avenue. "In what way?" asked Holmes. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And for present expenses?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. what is your own theory as to what took place?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our will find little credit to be gained out of this case." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Perhaps we may make them less so." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. burst out into a roar of laughter. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is locked. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes, certainly." corner of the building. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "He is still with you, I presume?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "How can you tell that?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I weighed down with some great anxiety. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "What! a murderous attack?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, look upon these things in a different way." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you this as likely?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to bell. Holmes whistled. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "None." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter License. You must require such a user to return or step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Yes, at the mines." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Pool. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "How often?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, coat-tails." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent had this final quarrel? here." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Witness: It was. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Quite so." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "That's no good." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door when your master had gone out." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Nothing." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "How on earth--" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the room while you explain this matter?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which but preventing her from injuring another. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried