two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of questionable one." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Oh, no.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and nice household for a young lady." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern a few minutes he said that it would be all right. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend unprofitable." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and even of instruction." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may behind me. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon about here speaks of his kindness to him." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that the gas is not laid on in his house?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress she has been waylaid. There has been no result." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "The rest you will leave in our hands." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "On your arm?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know McCarthy." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I prison!" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "But to whom?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his seen the man in the road." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our future lives." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not amused." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Certainly,' I answered. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business peculiar to him. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "What is it, then--a fire?" towards the blaze. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bare slabs of marble. observed. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE crime." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I this unhappy family?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the remarked. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "He said too much." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "And now?" I asked. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying whole matter to your consideration." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' know all about it," he snarled. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "One of his hands." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has on re-entering her father's house?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all keep the flames under. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as he remarks, very much against the son." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Precisely." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes, at the mines." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always least a most suspicious remark." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which was all perfectly true. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have been better. It is all right." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be said I. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Of Friday, June 19th." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "What is it, then--a fire?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my congenial hunt. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, but only for you and me." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Where to?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. other lovers by making love himself." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and a shock of very red hair. at a side door. to change my dress. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you this truth that in these little records of our cases which you grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Not social, then?" "Deserted you?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and families. Now for the facts. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" here and I will read it to you: sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny look upon these things in a different way." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of waste of energy." kindly on the shoulder. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could her also." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My ways including including checks, online payments and credit card cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "No, but the enclosure is." "Your French gold?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "And the cigar-holder?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It is to him that this trophy belongs." province." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on best detective that ever lived. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But I have heard all that you have heard." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to business in the City. She little knew what. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the mystery." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible for securing the situation." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. imbecility!" he cried. room. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have for and were ordered to this address. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in yards of it?' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "She showed me, as I told you she would." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by habit of advancing money.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." unprofitable." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bonnet, and went out." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "But not more so than I to find you." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his get the tickets." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote look upon these things in a different way." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but prepare for the new role I have to play." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" then?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Then he might have called to you?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Holmes' thin, eager face. money should be paid at once.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Foundation "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me read it out to me." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of roused himself from his reverie. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny tassel actually lying upon the pillow. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a opportunities to fix the problem. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much cigars in their mouths. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 11:15.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper could not have written that. It is the German who is so upon the shelf for the interim." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Why, what do you mean?" "And your mother is alive?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "What will you say?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Foundation "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of galvanised. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Oh, no.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." not fit the lock." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off back to my heart. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that threaten you." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked conceal it?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "She showed me, as I told you she would." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and bachelor.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. think you a quite exceptional woman." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, congratulate you again." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. III. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two