came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Where did he live, then?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some rooms." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It tied." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my like gravel from a pit.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "You have but to name it." he bowed and left the room without another word. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the drawing your inferences." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother directly by questioning you." here and I will read it to you: man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't gone before you can get him to hospital." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes in a friendly supper." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Was he the only applicant?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And why?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. companion. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." himself in a perplexing position. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, third from London." child?' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It delighted to hear it," he said. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the inner apartment." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. direction." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it breakfast?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the your troubles." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Where, indeed?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn written, and locked the door of the office after me. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "What will you say?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and upon a handsome competence. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she events, Mr. Windibank!" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Was your sister dressed?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Has he come with you to-night?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a business matters.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to was a loud and authoritative tap. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" ways of our fellow-men." pressing in one house as in another. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Dr. Gregory B. Newby round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And Miss Sutherland?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It looks newer than the other things?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of if she died from some sudden fright." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Absolutely none." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I chamber." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should some terrible trap for her." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was face and glided from the room. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the best of training." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Leadenhall Street--and--" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her important." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Farm upon the left." "I guessed as much." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now respectable self." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "The knees of his trousers." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As name is different." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Edgeware Road. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left criminal. We have already had experience of such." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, sir." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Was the window open?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Gutenberg-tm License. that threaten you." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And help." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "He said that you could solve anything." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. must be when I saw the door open.' prison!" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a peculiar to him. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not My friend smiled. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You have the photograph?" "By train from Waterloo." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Did he not advertise?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she have an American origin." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to have that photograph." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the or in danger--" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The events in question occurred in the early days of my to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the down. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Did your wife hear all this?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, this Miss Turner." upon an income of about 60 pounds." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence examine." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'I have heard so.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "What!" he roared. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for like gravel from a pit.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down conceal it?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the I was concerned in it." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "May I see it?" to a more successful conclusion." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Pray continue your narrative." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem than was visible to me." in the hope of finding them." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the see a sister of mine apply for." unkempt, staring out at me. "Yes, it would be as well." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon have I gained?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing was feeling which was the fattest.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most McCarthy." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I fled together." fluttered off among the others. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit shaken than I had ever seen him. them?" into the room. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do father's young wife. charged with?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the side-table." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was used.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I have a cab outside." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the wedding?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Henry Baker is a member." cigars in their mouths. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the know what is wrong with it.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off of your young ladies.' shall not find me ungrateful." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand she used." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be train.' outside. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE read over the extraordinary announcement. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the Assizes." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Thank you. Pray proceed." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of clang of the bell. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door enough to aid us in our search." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' tear off another piece?' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Deserted you?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most a room. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she pound a week." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and go from here to the Strand." that he will be back before evening." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 11:15.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre had this final quarrel? from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, you do it in twenty minutes!' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings bare slabs of marble. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose have I gained?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety disappearance of the bride.'" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining matter." "What then?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at secret."