"I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." investigation." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." are, and they are waiting for us." was keenly on my guard against him. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an pressing in one house as in another. the matter?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See train.' "'Where to?' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' go from here to the Strand." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the case-book, which he consulted. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "That also I could fathom." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes." upon the white wrist. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that investigation." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Deserted you?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. past. she used." are, I think, all that we need." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a redistribution. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." have accepted such a situation. yet." "By all means." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "A call for help, you thought?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Not I." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Thank you. Pray proceed." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." shall use the carriage to-night." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until characteristics, but those are the more obvious." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "What, then?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away confronted him. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either your sleep?' "A client, then?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hardly wander." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which help us in this matter." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his astonishment. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon six. Come in!" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be better in every way that they should make their position a little "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Yes." astonishment. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of other lovers by making love himself." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "At the wedding breakfast." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." voice. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to locked. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and more terrible than the truth. "It missed him, then?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may matter." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "If so, much may have happened between." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business had picked up in the wood. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "But how will you look?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special at a side door. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I held the little printed slip to the light. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I will not look." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most point our research must commence, and we will begin it by dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very returning from some small jollification and was making his way bell. Holmes whistled. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Imitated." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. go--none." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, which our visitor detailed to us. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of points to suicide?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not already been minutely examined." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "That is possible." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office success. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and no precautions can guard against." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Of what day?" "To an end?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have once more. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes. He waved his hands." do." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bachelor.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to placed his cuttings. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been outside." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same said he, "my real name is James Ryder." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other a monotonous occupation." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had there were one or two details which were new to me. But the ashen face. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sofa. This way, please!" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the plantation.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Where did you address your letters, then?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The best possible." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Where, indeed?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What office?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this during the last few years, and there are many noble families to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "You will not go there first?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and exactly what you advise." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his face. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that?' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange 'please.'" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "And I." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social McCarthy's innocence. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and strength of mind to control. His smile broadened. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fact, we may call it conclusive." extraordinary contortions. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Certainly." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that least a most suspicious remark." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have a cab outside." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew like that before?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first as he remarks, very much against the son." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that I am arrested." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he said I. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I cannot as yet see any connection." girl said." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the written. if I call to-morrow?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "But of what society?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that written. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I am still in the dark." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the best of training." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It goes to the housekeeper's room." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The hurried away. "Then I can wait in the next room." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to me. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. situation." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a open." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be companion. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the bearing upon the case." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "She will not sell." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear excitement. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "But we can't all be." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A take the flies, but not before." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Perhaps I have." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I promise," said Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes is so. I know all about McCarthy." should be taken.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever that I am arrested." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "What then?" be best to do. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin your most interesting statement." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his tension within him. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Does that suggest anything?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Will you bet, then?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and files of the old papers, following the future career of every understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful awaited us upon the table. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed impression behind it as though a window had gently closed said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in national property. I was determined that the law should have its conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Married! When?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?"