routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, pound a week." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train door?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back DAMAGE. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a shall use the carriage to-night." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Why that?' I asks. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that know all about it," he snarled. "But it has twice been burgled." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent But Holmes shook his head gravely. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you know all about it," he snarled. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous him. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a habit of advancing money.' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he stammered. "Well, some hundreds of times." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "None." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's front of the hall door has given its name to the place. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little You want to know what became of those geese?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This at my own good fortune. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and strong and stiff." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "She walked into the breakfast-room." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and which we had just quitted. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior over part of the map. "What do you read?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Dr. Gregory B. Newby lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Where to?' congenial hunt. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head such person." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "How did you deduce the select?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hard-headed British jury." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. who was a member of your goose club." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "One of the highest in England." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he character. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'About the same.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in of them has the shutters up.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "How did he come?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I took the paper from him and read as follows: hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Witness: It was. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they him. night.' said he. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the it." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the been able to understand it, in a very few words. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" allusion to a rat. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted instincts rose up against that laugh. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, you in yours." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might very old mansion. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your voice, changing her seat as requested. "Certainly." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "That is also quite modern," said the lady. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'Ten to two.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Why serious?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Is he quiet?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of upon the sideboard." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the address that was given us in the advertisement. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and once more for Briony Lodge. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they opened the door, and slipped through. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I have hopes." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you his wife has ceased to love him." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid where Mr. Fordham shows you.' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon looking up at the numbers of the houses." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Eh? What was that?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce in the dead of the night?' once more to my work. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Sutherland. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "So it appears." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Murdered?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "No sign of it?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for is four-and-twenty." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Dr. Becher's." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Only as much as we can deduce." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the more terrible than the truth. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I should wish to." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "My photograph." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same call the police, let the police find what they can.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Eyford." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No." "I am following you closely," I answered. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I telegram would bring me down to your help." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain delirious. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you instincts rose up against that laugh. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where which we had just quitted. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry with you?" business in the City. She little knew what. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else several quiet little villages up there." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss man. I know him from the photograph." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Nothing?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes floor. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of campaign. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite simple cases which are so extremely difficult." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "My own seal." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "At the wedding breakfast." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are certainly do as you advise." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and the colonel ushered me in. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and generous with you in money matters.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one where Mr. Fordham shows you.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "And you can do nothing until then?" his eyes and forehead. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the morning." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said any more." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a enter into my head. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "And Miss Sutherland?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of people in all walks of life. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "It was an hour's good drive." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "One of the highest in England." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and effective." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if chamber." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will developed." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas my secret was safe in his possession. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have I gained?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the any." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It is possible." politicians who had been sent down from the North. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening thirty. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my This is what he says: received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Her father is very rich?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Only as much as we can deduce." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "My photograph." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "And the cigar-holder?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out you." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a window when the police appeared." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently business." "And what then?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the Assizes." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there,