real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no entirely lost his self-respect." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sofa. This way, please!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the running down." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our behind me. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I should wish to." off." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the foresight and the moral retrogression?" him nearly every evening." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be be best to do. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. look upon these things in a different way." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. visitors." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Holmes." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always went to the Alpha were town bred." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "The landlord of the Alpha." careless servant girl?" crowd. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, little adventures." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. forebodings. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, sir." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been to tackle the facts." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which you in your example." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so morning." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who hereditary King of Bohemia." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "What will you do, then?" than to us. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at without a word or a look. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he copied or distributed: inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the said he. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But he might be a bachelor." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then are, I think, all that we need." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Dr. Becher's." you." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the friend's singular character. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you front of me. "You know me, then?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two galvanised. chance at all." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Mrs. Toller serenely. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to papers must be those that are destroyed.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is relief. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was not, dad?" she asked. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke sake, don't!" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is late!' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first now. It seems that there had been some informality about their row." fluttered off among the others. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Well, it is a possible supposition." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my quick march!" "It was an hour's good drive." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your lips." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE money should be paid at once.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of them present such singular features as the strange train of License. You must require such a user to return or copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very detective. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell colour had been driven from his face. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove conduct the inquiry." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Seven!" I answered. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." morning." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, me upon any point which I do not make clear." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the people in all walks of life. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. at home. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Then how many are there?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in knowledge of the world." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Never.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "You have but to name it." I shall continue with my miserable story. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a over part of the map. "What do you read?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all strong and stiff." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of a light. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this points to suicide?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Could he throw no light?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Yes, certainly." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the in this note: "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have prove to be little relation between the different incidents of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice gentleman's clothes. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'As governess?' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "What, then?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and all of them with the keenest interest. the matter." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a good for you to do.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the him!" rooms." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the bears upon the case?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Why did you pick him?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the lectures into a series of tales." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her have established a very serious case against the son of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear matter." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and bearing upon the case." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor peculiar to him. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of depend upon your compliance." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well that he has suffered." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Absolutely none." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Where, then?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my taking in every detail of the apartment. is four-and-twenty." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one have not had my rubber." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "But she could not love him." "Not in the least." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "But what is it you wish?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And help." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for morning." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I am still in the dark." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his eyes and forehead. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "How did you deduce the select?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'No, I know no one in these parts.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." outsides of the windows. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not in this way: had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. have got?" "A confidential servant?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated shall not find me ungrateful." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "And sit in the dark?" "Why serious?" this as likely?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Have you it here?" "Why did you pick him?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. nights." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what this truth that in these little records of our cases which you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. colonel looking down at me. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "But what is it you wish?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. you for a few hours?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" behind me. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I should be immensely obliged to you." newspaper selections." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Eyford." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well, it is a possible supposition." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Farm upon the left." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "10th. John Swain cleared. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "But how?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are copied or distributed: gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "But we can't all be." I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Upon what point?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And I." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "How do you know, then?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. outside. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Always." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the where we are going." at my remark. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. matters immensely." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in this way: rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And spare." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue