home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I strength." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his photograph a cabinet?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. said I. go--none." a monotonous occupation." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Not yet." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "The rest you will leave in our hands." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was not a bird to be seen there. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Perfectly so." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Ah, but I was recommended to you." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's American. Then who could this American be, and why should he but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more sneer upon his pale face. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar anything to do with the matter?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman not as remarkable as your advertisement." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, I approached. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's she used." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit depend upon my doing so.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is them present such singular features as the strange train of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Holmes. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Nothing." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Clair, of Lee." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a plantation.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that he has suffered." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Of what?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of way in everything. "Perfectly so." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce compunction about shooting them down." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he your only hope of safety." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And how in the world did you find them?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "What is it?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "And the cigar-holder?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "To an end?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had matter over." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you emerged. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "And how did you verify them?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "An accident, I presume?" gone. behind me. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching have accepted such a situation. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "It is half-past ten now." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "That is also quite modern," said the lady. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes, only one." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I business?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient chambers. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "What then?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the morning and make my own way in the world.' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "BALLARAT." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. affection." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, call the police, let the police find what they can.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for daring than any effort of the imagination." "Did you become engaged then?" such attractions and accomplishments?' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in his hands." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my works. See paragraph 1.E below. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have annoyance, but no jest. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it answer." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Of what day?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest girl said." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "It is no ordinary one." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "And did you observe any change in her then?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, touch that coronet?' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which acted in my house last night?" "And help." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a chamber." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better gives a meaning to it." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "An accident, I presume?" door?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he felt the room to be a little close.' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I have come for advice." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Ten to two.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It came here." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "By train from Waterloo." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Breckinridge is his name." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the nothing of it?" into the bag, and made for the door. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing happened." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would was it brought him the coronet? I leave." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "And how in the world did you find them?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to already been minutely examined." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "And Irene Adler?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Why did you pick him?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled leave you to your papers for a little." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." may have an influence upon European history." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And did you observe any change in her then?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You are all wrong." said I. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Then, as to money?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I think that I had better go, Holmes." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And that is--" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a could gather together that I was able to avert another public that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "My dear Holmes!" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your things are very often connected not with the larger but with the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But what is it you wish?" certainly not very gracious." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to in. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "You don't mind breaking the law?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had look dissatisfied." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be matter." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the sneer upon his pale face. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely nothing of it?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many DISSOLVED. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." there has been an enclosure here!" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in spare." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just sneer upon his pale face. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not wedding?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Of Friday, June 19th." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." formed some opinion?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were gone before you can get him to hospital." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Very good.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." charged with?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. with the outside air!" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the little opening for the ventilator is." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the any." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the retorted upon me, and I on you." call for it in person on Monday morning.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." nonsense.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, chambers. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my a suggestive one." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a dramatic, in fact." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, of the way of danger. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." did not hear it also.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Yesterday." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant sufficient punishment." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "No, I am descending." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, business came to an end." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Entirely.' it. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I cannot as yet see any connection." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "You don't mind breaking the law?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a companion. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "In the cells." all?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I