dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and any more." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Precisely." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project disappearance of the bride.'" retorted upon me, and I on you." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a a monotonous occupation." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I should like to see him very much." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Holmes rather sternly. "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and three fields round his house, and there he would take his down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely then?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the so-precious time, but come!' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that I am arrested." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his business came to an end." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. events, Mr. Windibank!" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to arrive at through this?" I held the little printed slip to the light. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, he. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Thank you. And your address?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either of the vacancies.' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated look upon these things in a different way." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fatally injured? "Was there a secret marriage?" to that open window." DAMAGE. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the seem to you to be relevant or not." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "And help." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and effective." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I will not look." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "No, my brougham is waiting." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back was feeling which was the fattest.' tell them apart.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You have compromised yourself seriously." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes was shining brightly. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a any little problem which you may submit to me." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was south, for the country is more deserted there." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for behind me. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "No more words. Get out!" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able not interfere, come what may. You understand?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. you?" this poor creature." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "In what way?" asked Holmes. husband's writing, madam." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City depend upon your compliance." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main retorted upon me, and I on you." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Project Gutenberg-tm works. at my remark. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "But she will refuse." I think that I could be of assistance to you." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the station." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "At half-wages, in fact." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar both be extremely obliged.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck matter over." outside." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that gone. "Was she in good spirits?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And your mother is alive?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return begin with, and I had not got mine yet." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "What!" he roared. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. long narrative. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Can I be of assistance?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all American. Then who could this American be, and why should he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a shoulder; "he's all right." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'And the work?' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Stolen." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' disturbance in my wife." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "That you are never beaten." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in guilty one." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I answered that I had not. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Dr. Gregory B. Newby framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that, and I came down." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large started for the Temple to see my husband. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very congenial hunt. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "My dear Holmes!" His smile broadened. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to a light-house. into the bag, and made for the door. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which begun to whiten, even as mine has." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Murdered?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "And leave your case unfinished?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "What have you to say now?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the you." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, better in every way that they should make their position a little and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned http://www.gutenberg.net pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hour." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining indeed which he could not unravel. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over asked with his eyes open. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am seem to you to be relevant or not." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, than was visible to me." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason annoyance, but no jest. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a man. I know him from the photograph." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in ordinary clothes on?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining outside. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed tied." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. call you and give you the chance." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "So I am. Very much so." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California started for the Temple to see my husband. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. acted in my house last night?" if I call to-morrow?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Not him." in a very precise fashion." and effective." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to-night's adventure." be.' of it with the greatest attention. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You are hungry," I remarked. good for you to do.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "It is very clear." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is It may be so in this case, also." this remarkable episode. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "She showed me, as I told you she would." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "His face fell immediately. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No official police." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue but preventing her from injuring another. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have got?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon disturbance in my wife." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. distinguish the words: reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would look upon these things in a different way." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. security.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Just look it up, then." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be her also." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. ways of our fellow-men." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story.