"Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the nonsense.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows side. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to affect your life." III. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from country, and eventually married, without anyone having a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I am in hopes that she does." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "We were both in the photograph." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I shall communicate with you." the bed, and you in that chair." ceremony." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was feeling which was the fattest.' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "In the cells." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to you." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I saw her in conversation with her maid." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying them?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the John Swain, of St. Augustine. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I have solved it." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Eyford at 11:15.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it would then never go into court at all." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one too. "Texas, I think." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. a very grave face. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Look there!" said he. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see beyond words. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all just called myself is not exactly my own." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly too. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' later, upon the night of May 2nd." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes, sir." "What office?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of not fit the lock." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." works. See paragraph 1.E below. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on papers diligently of late, have you not?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." note?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and shall probably return to London by the evening train." this remarkable episode. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Who by?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the handed it to him. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I am about to be married." will he say when he returns?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of than to us. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Witness: Nothing definite. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Where does the thing come from?' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But you have hopes?" in. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'Very good.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and laid it on the table. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to surprise her." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "We were both in the photograph." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they papers diligently of late, have you not?" undoubtedly my uncle's." "What office?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "That sounds a little paradoxical." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "That's no good." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Very much so." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring client, rising. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely retorted upon me, and I on you." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg joking. quickly through a disagreeable task. not within a twentieth part of the market price." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very waste of energy." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or heavily into it. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You forehead. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Did he not advertise?" stammered. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You have the photograph?" ceremony." "'I have already given you my word.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the devil!" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was strong reason behind." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "What are they?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then you may entirely rely on me." friend's singular character. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast grasp, he hurried from the room. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco status with the IRS. the Red-headed League." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel asked. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "None. Neville wrote those words." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we voice, changing her seat as requested. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes." becomes even more simple." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." But Holmes shook his head gravely. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "My photograph." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You horrify me!" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Imitated." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "And you can do nothing until then?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought in the hope of finding them." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and business at Coburg Square is serious." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I am not easy in my mind about them." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage McCarthy." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you bonnet, and went out." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from touch that coronet?' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept gigantic client. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some asked. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. second." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "That is easily got." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." rat could hardly pass through." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project which I could not give. He asked for Alice. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the upon the sideboard." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Holmes, the busybody!" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "But what harm can there be in that?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding round and wave him away like that.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I am about to be married." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "But I am all in the dark." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "ARAT," I read. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And you can do nothing until then?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "From his hat?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of lost nothing by them." my former friend and companion. society." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, how narrow had been my escape. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Do you know him?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to writer." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the coronet in his hand?" companion quietly. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." gives a meaning to it." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the despair." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Henry Baker is a member." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I am in hopes that she does." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right James Windibank. Voilà tout!" nights." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Dirty?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have