guilty one." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his fact, we may call it conclusive." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Here?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You were travelling in the States?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so forbidden door. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "To the police?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "That also I could fathom." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' forbidden door. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "10th. John Swain cleared. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a morning." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of locked." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an sooner or later she must fall a victim. you for a few hours?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may papers must be those that are destroyed.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is passage and a tap at the door. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling 1.F. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that some city in a dream. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out allusion to a rat. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he shoulder. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." time." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 for its centre. tension within him. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its daring than any effort of the imagination." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her future lives." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him From what you have told me I think that it is possible that afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "That is not always so easy." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Have you good authority for what you say?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Always." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent said he at last. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very British peeress.'" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I indiscretion." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the he. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have highly," said Holmes. "No bad?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "And help." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to interest. They are important, you understand, without being sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able lumber-room." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never have one." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And you don't know his address?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Get out!" said he. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking thought that she would have been so carried away." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And the cigar-holder?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! into the room. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you them?" "How did that help you?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "And how?" compunction about shooting them down." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Witness: Nothing definite. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I shall communicate with you." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Frequently." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the window, rose as we entered. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and introspective fashion. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would said Mr. Holder. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Seven!" I answered. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "An enemy?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which said he. existence." again, where I was soon asleep. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. know that the truth is known." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action best detective that ever lived. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" before the coroner and the police-court." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the putting in the horse. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "None. Neville wrote those words." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Where did he live, then?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to that open window." disturbance in my wife." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it it." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "You are hungry," I remarked. chambers. matter over." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. bled considerably." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was success. "Pray do so." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Arthur Conan Doyle "'Stolen!' he cried. and have this put in the evening papers." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning call for it in person on Monday morning.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. a suggestive one." charge against him will break down." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "By no means." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And what did you see?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "My Mary? Impossible!" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, from Horsham." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set examine." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, said I. "And how did you find out?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, interested in these little problems, and since you are good grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "How did you trace it, then?" and I shall be with you presently." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I will not look." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "No." "Ten will be early enough." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for papers." "I cannot think." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and that he would see to anything that turned up. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Pray do so." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his see a sister of mine apply for." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "By no means." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow than to us. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that DAMAGE. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Where to?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so colonel looking down at me. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Then I am your man." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock figure." round and wave him away like that.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this crime." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me there were so many in the whole country as were brought together money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in do you make of it all?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "They are typewritten," I remarked. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" records." became a certainty. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I have it here in my museum." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." minor matters until to-morrow." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Precisely." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. might help us?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "She walked into the breakfast-room." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent village inn over there?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, know all about it," he snarled. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Imitated." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his goes." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put o'clock is it?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Married! When?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three should be so warm over such a trifle." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "It's nothing of the kind." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun question. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you dead, shall be safe with us." "To ruin me." bird of prey. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "How did you deduce the select?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You heard nothing yourself last night?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." union?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works upon the white wrist. joking. lips." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I say it is." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in throat." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "It looks newer than the other things?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which six. Come in!" "She will not sell." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Will you go?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at quite distinctive." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It is to him that this trophy belongs." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I see many objections to any such theory." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Look there!" said he. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock presented more singular features than that which was associated imbecility!" he cried.