behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I assure you that I am in your hands." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which was all perfectly true. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were figure." burst out into a roar of laughter. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Nothing?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel detained." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love little trying to do so much typewriting?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "At the wedding breakfast." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Certainly not.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the several quiet little villages up there." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which one of the states of the Union." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & criminal. We have already had experience of such." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, as yours." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at III. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "How on earth--" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes, that is the Crown." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And now?" He raised his hand. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I respectable self." matters immensely." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look their singular warning or token before them when starting upon of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I should wish to." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to tackle the facts." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'What then?' I asked. up this clue while it is still hot." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Where, indeed?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would never came back." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one secret." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking desk. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe entirely lost his self-respect." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Yes." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the you understand?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "And how did you find out?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "How did you deduce the select?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his his cane at the bell-pull. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of correct than the official force." unprecedented a position." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business prove to be little relation between the different incidents of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of he bowed and left the room without another word. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sufficient punishment." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am business." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'And the work?' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long residence of the great financier. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could examine." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his footfalls from the street. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Yes, I have one waiting." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The some water from a caraffe. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And how did he make his money?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. had this final quarrel? "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "No legal papers or certificates?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Did you become engaged then?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I your troubles." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts once more. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE has little to do with my story." "Ample." "Then how many are there?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way through." late." companion. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Street. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the ceiling. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that your troubles." "Quite so." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Certainly." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It subject to the trademark license, especially commercial impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, you, my dear young lady?' lost nothing by them." the tragedy. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would my friend's incisive reasoning. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But you have hopes?" question. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater people don't know." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that I can to serve you." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "But we can't all be." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "VIOLET HUNTER." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Nothing." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get views." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you gentleman's clothes. true." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" himself to hunt down. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. for and were ordered to this address. of Mr. Rucastle's." "Nothing?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "It is very clear." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Stoke Moran." "None." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he as noiselessly as she had come. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "No, I had a dozen." "But his lameness?" "My dear Holmes!" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, a suggestive one." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham This is what he says: "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of a light. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always companion quietly. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I think it very unlikely." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. instituted." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive skylight. "'Yes.' gbnewby@pglaf.org "It is very kind of you." "What shall I do?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to man. I know him from the photograph." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible comes from the middle window." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. closing the door. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Whose house is it?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must bed dies. Does not that strike you?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment outside." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other unprecedented a position." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing lectures into a series of tales." "And what did you learn from him?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Stoke Moran?" said he. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." past. matter over." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "This photograph!" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "None." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And your mother is alive?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I am in hopes that she does." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge he died? "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I returned to France?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." ran thus: "I think it very unlikely." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to surprise her." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry joking. will take you up to see the machine.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Very much so." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'There is a drive, then?' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we three of the beryls in it, was missing. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from said he. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall new duties?' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "There is the writing." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of indeed happy." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Entirely.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, weighed down with some great anxiety. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "What will you say?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to at my own good fortune. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in been able to understand it, in a very few words. anything to do with the matter?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it mysterious end." my secret was safe in his possession. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Project Gutenberg-tm works. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "He is dead," cried several voices. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one placed his cuttings. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Nothing." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are giving me time to thank him. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and have this put in the evening papers." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "This photograph!" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he rose-bushes. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Not in the least." had a long day." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' goes." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to change my dress. "Then I am your man." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "You are hungry," I remarked. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Why serious?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." conceal it?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as envelope. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of without a word or a look.