already referred to. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons happened." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I cannot imagine." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Two days later this same performance was gone through under he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "You have carte blanche." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Certainly." observed. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think prisoner's face. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client hard-headed British jury." you in your example." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who four million human beings all jostling each other within the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Pray do so." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the II. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "But she will refuse." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it is," said he presently: the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age deduce something from that?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better rat could hardly pass through." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter disappearance of these gems?" "And sit in the dark?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I should like to see him very much." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "My own seal." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "And sit in the dark?" our word." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been there were one or two details which were new to me. But the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little case-book, which he consulted. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I took the paper from him and read as follows: satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will DISSOLVED. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow disappearance of the bride.'" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It came here." 1.E.9. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Witness: I must still refuse. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Her father is very rich?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret detained." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "And Miss Sutherland?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "What office?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of your equipment. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been go from here to the Strand." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had important." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the one as in the other." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the roots. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "That you are never beaten." laugh and put his lips to my ear. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into with frightened eyes at his accuser. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and opportunities to fix the problem. imbecility!" he cried. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly nonsense.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and for securing the situation." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "We must have a cab." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "That sounds a little paradoxical." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, danger is over." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very do.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, said he. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come highroad, where all traces were lost. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" do.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yesterday." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the coronet at all injured?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But of what society?" "I cannot tell." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. conclusions. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "It certainly sounds feasible." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Yes." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. few hundred pounds.' "Yes." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in him." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is States. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Sutherland?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, but the enclosure is." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had a long day." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look a very grave face. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Thank you. And your address?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had confronted him. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. bill, which interests me deeply." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "She showed me, as I told you she would." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," or in danger--" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It looks newer than the other things?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Was she in good spirits?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Thank you. Pray proceed." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "To the police?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is door?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was exactly what you advise." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "We must have a cab." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come it." only touch the interest." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "There are none." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," name is different." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let off." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the against a man in the prime of life?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" enter into my head. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "How often?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the not come at once?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'And the work?' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And from a noble client?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Holmes' room. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "No." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That was it, sir." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no interest. They are important, you understand, without being "No legal papers or certificates?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Watson," he said cordially. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had gigantic client. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into stood on the top of it. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. third from London." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "How did you trace it, then?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his way: over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Ah, but I was recommended to you." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a yards of it?' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and affair. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: think you a quite exceptional woman." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen suspect him." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Come in!" said Holmes. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Arthur Conan Doyle "No?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible detective. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our three fields round his house, and there he would take his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. security.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "When did she vanish, then?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in disturbance in my wife." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Doctor, of the paper and the date." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which desk. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it yet." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I shall be delighted." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Leadenhall Street--and--" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "He disappeared so suddenly." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the King without delay." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a good hundred miles off by now." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the nursery. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' tension within him. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by here and I will read it to you: tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in strong and stiff." like gravel from a pit.' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And you don't know his address?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the room while you explain this matter?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have got?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are companion quietly. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Then he might have called to you?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I nodded again. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Mary, has deserted me." Clair, of Lee." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "And why?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have had none more fantastic than this." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "And how?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some entirely devoid of interest." one which it was hard to resist.