ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Perfectly so." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that he will be back before evening." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You will not go there first?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "But you would not advise me to refuse?" learned something! Where are the gems?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, get her out of the way." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "None." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No." yourselves in at night?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my with her." him and tried to hold him back. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Texas, I think." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the cup of tea. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Have you it here?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "The vanishing of the lady." "My dear Holmes!" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, prepare for the new role I have to play." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "How did that help you?" "That is unusual in a young girl." "Thank you. Pray proceed." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can chill to my heart. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project or in danger--" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to was a lad." the tragedy. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his later, upon the night of May 2nd." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of most interesting one." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, they were peculiar boots." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the strong reason behind." "Dark enough and sinister enough." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in the dead of the night?' most interesting one." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in if she died from some sudden fright." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited went to the Alpha were town bred." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" business?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. me upon any point which I do not make clear." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Where is it, then?" his face. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking dates and names. that you can jump it.' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Game for a morning drive?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Because he was handy and would come cheap." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in own family. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The Coroner: What do you mean? not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. confronted him. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Did he not advertise?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But your client--" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I indiscretion." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Which are?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to brandy and water within his reach. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, row." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Entirely.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." this as likely?" suddenly upon us." posted to-day." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and the whole place is in a blaze." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of it with the greatest attention. weary and pale-looking. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "No." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her straighten it?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran not use it unless it is absolutely needed." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time go--none." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while some terrible trap for her." meant." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it brain must have something in it." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the this remarkable episode. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "My opinion is in no way altered." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I see many objections to any such theory." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them with you?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to miss it." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in a very grave face. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this question you as to those details which seem to me to be most my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of carpenter." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and sound at heart." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the were unconscious?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to pictures, libraries, or plate. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." direction." in this way: years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from prisoner's face. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And how in the world did you find them?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his our word." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to-morrow." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Why, what do you mean?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. occurred." about here speaks of his kindness to him." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business house for five minutes.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I shall be delighted." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself License. You must require such a user to return or how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For this Miss Turner." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. think you a quite exceptional woman." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you considering the formidable letters which were received by himself young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Did your wife hear all this?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Street. the best of training." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I promise," said Holmes. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Yes, certainly." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away me have 200 pounds?' "You forget that I know nothing about it." habit of advancing money.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. here." entirely devoid of interest." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What steps will you take?" I asked. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me charge against him will break down." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Witness: I must still refuse. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family hurried away. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the signal between you and your father? wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the has little to do with my story." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being been shamefully used." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It is a murder, then?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "The rest you will leave in our hands." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked once more to my work. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in the port of London." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael putting in the horse. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And Miss Sutherland?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you breakfast?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "But of what society?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Really! You surprise me." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I October 9, 1890. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." himself. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the bird I ate is country bred." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "What have you to say now?" "There is the writing." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "But we can't all be." leaning back in his chair. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the there!' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Whose house is it?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Quite sure, dad.' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "How do you know, then?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "And help." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several do you make of it all?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "My dear Holmes!" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of o'clock is it?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "And how did you verify them?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and laid it on the table. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty begun to whiten, even as mine has." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled