had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which already been minutely examined." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that gives a meaning to it." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a straighten it?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Can I be of assistance?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the chambers. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Yes." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his that?' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which your troubles." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not gives a meaning to it." upon an income of about 60 pounds." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had developed." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can confronted him. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is business came to an end." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" DISSOLVED. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the several quiet little villages up there." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get voice. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the on in his house." "Nothing." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "But what will you do?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do to tackle the facts." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some room?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements look dissatisfied." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front disappearance of these gems?" and the church but not where the lady lived." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry other means.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the it." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a yet." served to weaken the effect. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Chief Executive and Director impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Edgeware Road. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I don't believe it." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "None. Neville wrote those words." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I will not look." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for how narrow had been my escape. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and had this final quarrel? to tell." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And why?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, words came to my lips. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a like that before?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "My dear Holmes!" look upon these things in a different way." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Where, indeed?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Not yet." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The police have openly confessed that they can at present make terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little very morning of my second wedding." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Never,' said I. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. words came to my lips. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Your presence might be invaluable." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Oh, no.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I approached. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lost his Christmas dinner." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences companion. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "One of the highest in England." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I will not look." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the rooms." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, following enigmatical notices: The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety his forehead." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly night.' said he. remarked. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. colour had been driven from his face. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. than was visible to me." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and it need not interfere very much with one's other workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. official police." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal his face which made him a very different person to the round, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." where she found matters as described by the last witness. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the little opening for the ventilator is." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, bell. Holmes whistled. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. night.' said he. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I wall." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "The murder was done with it." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you in your example." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his him. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she get her out of the way." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the highroad, where all traces were lost. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, compunction about shooting them down." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six it." "Did you observe the colour?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Nothing?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Yes, it was gone.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently you?' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the did not hear it also.' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the never to learn it at all." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Not social, then?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "No, I am descending." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, detained." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "No, distinctly professional." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Never.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was hereditary King of Bohemia." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'What then?' I asked. formed some opinion?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the inner apartment." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Then I can wait in the next room." back into the street. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign weigh very heavily upon my conscience." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they careless servant girl?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how thought that she would have been so carried away." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into are, and they are waiting for us." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter begun to whiten, even as mine has." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at fuss that is made over them." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon your equipment. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and inquire as to the address." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual down in his armchair and closing his eyes. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the child." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" his cane at the bell-pull. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said,