You can understand that this register and diary may implicate distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some leave you to your papers for a little." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Not him." "'Which dealer's?' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too arrested. You then--" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I don't say that. Perhaps." "You were travelling in the States?" "No more words. Get out!" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the used to be." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "My Mary? Impossible!" forebodings. populous neighbourhood." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and chance." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in your room." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the back to my heart. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of are, and they are waiting for us." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What then?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike if she died from some sudden fright." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the bed, and you in that chair." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the nothing of it?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "No bad?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the like that before?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You of campaign. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Always." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the roots. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who look upon these things in a different way." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the disturbance in my wife." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so presented more singular features than that which was associated fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who four million human beings all jostling each other within the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to ceremony." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety never came back." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Whose house is it?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but keep the flames under. affection." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious that the gas is not laid on in his house?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father before, for it was considerably after midnight. "But the mystery?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little go from here to the Strand." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left from you?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It's nothing of the kind." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Dirty?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "None." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to a light-house. "Why? What do you mean?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed sufficient punishment." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There business?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated at a side door. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Why? What do you mean?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Do you know him?" had picked up in the wood. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I bonnet, and went out." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Then I can wait in the next room." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, For additional contact information: "No, thank goodness, she did not." cup of tea. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt been with you?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling outbreak?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of drawing your inferences." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But I have heard all that you have heard." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It missed him, then?" this remarkable episode. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Of what?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "We were both in the photograph." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the it right.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich there in twenty minutes." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'What, the red-headed man?' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have hard-headed British jury." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Yes, sir.' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "She walked into the breakfast-room." married her." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and him." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, For additional contact information: directly by questioning you." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Did your wife hear all this?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Pope's Court. yet." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his face which made him a very different person to the round, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project me have 200 pounds?' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I purpose of examination. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine invisible to me," I remarked. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, I approached. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. London for the present?" "The gentleman I describe." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would o'clock is it?" indiscretion." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he chill to my heart. highroad, where all traces were lost. said he. "No more words. Get out!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the room while you explain this matter?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have walking." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Entirely.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. there is a decided draught." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "He might." Watson," he said cordially. forebodings. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is a murder, then?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "We have tried and failed." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his it." Eyford." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the coroner come to?" brandy and water within his reach. time." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of woman." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And how in the world did you find them?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been one of the states of the Union." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "The gentleman I describe." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man child?' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself little adventures." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Count Von Kramm." "Not in the least." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "And when will you call?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons burst out into a roar of laughter. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather photograph a cabinet?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small read it out to me." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Doctor, of the paper and the date." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on a little more before I quite committed myself. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's For additional contact information: said I. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Street. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But should be so warm over such a trifle." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about open." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'Ample.' politicians who had been sent down from the North. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of it with the greatest attention. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Indeed! Whose, then?" Surrey." "You saw the ventilator, too?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been know that the truth is known." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or British peeress.'" of it with the greatest attention. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. as this. Pray let me have the details." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I say that I have solved it." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the closely." "From his hat?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ways of our fellow-men." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he not come at once?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And how have you succeeded?" through." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "What is it?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dear old homesteads?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Certainly." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features.