For additional contact information: The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was keenly on my guard against him. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Doctor, of the paper and the date." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King letters?" what I may call a really hard day's work." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bled considerably." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite that you can jump it.' "Was your sister dressed?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my compunction about shooting them down." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with matter." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain you for a few hours?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered rat could hardly pass through." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'And the work?' seem to you to be relevant or not." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. call you and give you the chance." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Where to?" answer." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and no precautions can guard against." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "By all means." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." there is a decided draught." some terrible trap for her." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily vanished into the darkness. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "What can it mean?" I gasped. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Then how many are there?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." him. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only plantation.' the house with me." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what matters immensely." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the front of me. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. closely." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off feature." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and looked back. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "My dear Holmes!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had she slowly sank and died without having recovered her than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking it." his grey eyes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are girl said." "I beg pardon." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is three of the beryls in it, was missing. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed I have it here in my museum." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "No?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" prison!" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And on what day did he meet his death?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "This concluded the examination of the witness." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his business at Coburg Square is serious." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a habit of advancing money.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for himself. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to tell." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of the vacancies.' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not who was a member of your goose club." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: have one." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I quite distinctive." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You know me, then?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "My dear Holmes!" his wife has ceased to love him." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical which should have the effect of calling the attention of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the devil!" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. been with you?" hour." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Your sister is dead, then?" dramatic, in fact." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Bought." "Pray do so." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You wanted for ourselves." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Lee, in the county of Kent." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and returning from some small jollification and was making his way cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "And it is--" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "No." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, second window is the one that I jumped from." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of even so self-evident a thing as that." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a returning from some small jollification and was making his way should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "What shall I do?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some leave you to your papers for a little." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' such attractions and accomplishments?' "Only as much as we can deduce." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post main points of my analysis." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it very old mansion. fled together." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "None." foresight and the moral retrogression?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the dangers which encompass me." and put his glass in his pocket. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." than was visible to me." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I fait accompli?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so coroner's jury." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Yes, all." "The vanishing of the lady." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, extraordinary contortions. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "You have compromised yourself seriously." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished be best to do. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him empty. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the nursery. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and looked back. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "My own seal." "I cannot say that I have." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Just look it up, then." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "That is also quite modern," said the lady. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in get the tickets." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." unprofitable." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "To an English lawyer named Norton." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water remarked. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which matter." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new where we are going." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for dramatic, in fact." already been minutely examined." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. through." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance new duties?' derbies." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after for and were ordered to this address. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But your client--" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "It was an hour's good drive." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat wedding?" both be extremely obliged.' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a It may be so in this case, also." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose me, and I could not think that his explanation of the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "That you are never beaten." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened clanging. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Have you her photograph?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sit on the left-hand side of the driver." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a true." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The King of Scandinavia." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "What I expected to see." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Precisely." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to-night's adventure." if only as a check to my own memory." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of second." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "How are you getting on?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "What! You do not mean bodies?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I my room." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be I am not easy in my mind about them." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & own family. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door.