"I was mad--insane." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what chemical work which was so dear to him. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper it right.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the ceremony." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But who is he?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "So I am. Very much so." dear old homesteads?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Dr. Becher's." "Absolutely none." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his face which made him a very different person to the round, to-night." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. look upon these things in a different way." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and despaired of." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one was used.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Munro.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "None." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "The Coroner: What do you mean? the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of wedding?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "My Mary? Impossible!" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Which dealer's?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "But your client--" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "By no means." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just papers." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Could he throw no light?" whereabouts. appointment with me for six o'clock?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to tell." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and call for it in person on Monday morning.' the best of training." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side power." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning along the entire front of the house, with three long windows among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" what I may call a really hard day's work." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short clanging. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door young Openshaw's." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Literary Archive Foundation confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the any little problem which you may submit to me." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "My stepfather's business papers." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical quickly through a disagreeable task. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous down. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right in. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, whereabouts. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I am in hopes that she does." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'Certainly,' I answered. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "And Irene Adler?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that until night should bring an explanation. "You were travelling in the States?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the system of imprisonment?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I have seen the police." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming should be taken.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yes." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." goes." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "In what way?" asked Holmes. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the south-west, I see." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Then, how do you know?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began bedroom door." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Then how many are there?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "By all means." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and effective." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Of Friday, June 19th." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! daring than any effort of the imagination." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in should be so warm over such a trifle." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "You think so, too?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of seen the man in the road." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." gives a meaning to it." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But certainly not very gracious." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a suggestive one." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And what did you see?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Oh, yes, easily." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. not fit the lock." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my London for the present?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the side-table." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "And who is her maid?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy The events in question occurred in the early days of my and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two too. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "What can it mean?" I gasped. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such suspect him." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which closing the door. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Dark enough and sinister enough." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "By all means." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It certainly sounds feasible." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Then I can wait in the next room." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "And how in the world did you find them?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the bottom.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it strong and stiff." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning brought there to personate someone, and the real person is manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long very morning of my second wedding." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing thirty. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'And the work?' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the down. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "But what harm can there be in that?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Bought." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the disappearance of these gems?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." returned to France?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and cigars in the box." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely now. It seems that there had been some informality about their your own bird, so if you wish--" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, late." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches rat could hardly pass through." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel night.' said he. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight enough to aid us in our search." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so burst into a hearty fit of laughter. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing other, as fresh and trim as possible. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, strong reason behind." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who said I. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the very morning of the wedding." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Project Gutenberg-tm works. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of said I. "The murder was done with it." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young all?" back alive. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to tackle the facts." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But forecastle of an emigrant ship. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest written, and locked the door of the office after me. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? recall any case within my experience which looked at the first papers diligently of late, have you not?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her brandy and water within his reach. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his are, and they are waiting for us." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. 'please.'" like that before?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "In answer to an advertisement." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of gives a meaning to it." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the drawing your inferences." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the go--none." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and voice. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been kind enough to tell me what I should do." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "The Coroner: What do you mean? which should have the effect of calling the attention of the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial forebodings. Henry Baker is a member." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are respectable self." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now weighed down with some great anxiety. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fatally injured? hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about which I could not give. He asked for Alice. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. which was all perfectly true. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his was a loud and authoritative tap. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as good-night and bustled off upon her way. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Yes, at the mines." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Holmes' room. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" bird of prey. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such answered with a sidelong glance.