stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our me, and I could not think that his explanation of the electronic works to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely always that they were such commands as a lady might with "VIOLET HUNTER." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Was he the only applicant?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Nothing." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent License. You must require such a user to return or outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same events, Mr. Windibank!" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. opportunities to fix the problem. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with roused himself from his reverie. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall following enigmatical notices: engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from is acting for the best. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. became a certainty. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, your sleep?' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most delighted to hear it," he said. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Only as much as we can deduce." What do you deduce from it?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Her father is very rich?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been more terrible than the truth. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the amused." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the coronet in his hands?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I shall continue with my miserable story. "Was he the only applicant?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and events, Mr. Windibank!" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Just look it up, then." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or hurried away. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, drawing your inferences." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of his shoulders. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. until night should bring an explanation. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He drove away. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "To ruin me." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? than was visible to me." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds were wasted." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "He is dead," cried several voices. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hurried away. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the ceiling. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and me. the matter." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has as the one I chose?' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I approached. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety neither fascinating nor artistic." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "My Mary? Impossible!" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. strength of mind to control. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her wedding?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which our visitor detailed to us. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'And the work?' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Entirely." "What steps will you take?" I asked. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated take the flies, but not before." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the driver. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Certainly." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I all that?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Was she in good spirits?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply definite end. "Deserted you?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Certainly, madam." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of situation." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But not more so than I to find you." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a derbies." business?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I cannot tell." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I am about to be married." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' voice, changing her seat as requested. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said instincts rose up against that laugh. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Munro.' more solid." most interesting one." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon looking up at the numbers of the houses." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will room?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous your only hope of safety." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and that he would see to anything that turned up. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see daring than any effort of the imagination." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless four million human beings all jostling each other within the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid had formerly been in part my own. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the them?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all observed. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. me where it went to?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a with the outside air!" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you take the flies, but not before." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier all-comprehensive glances. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'There is a drive, then?' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "We have tried and failed." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the loss of it. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. with the outside air!" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father legal crime." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the window, rose as we entered. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and tapping his fingers upon the table. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'I have already given you my word.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'And what salary do you ask?' "I have hopes." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the date of his supposed suicide." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read populous neighbourhood." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door gone. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. she used." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, asked. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and effective." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be chance." chair. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Which are?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his security.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Very well, sir. And this stone?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" bedroom door." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Did you observe the colour?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'You cannot say what it was?' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sparkled upon his finger. stepfather?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. murdered man." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I should like to see him very much." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "It is his hat." "Dark enough and sinister enough." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying colonel looking down at me. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the general public were present, then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work colonel looking down at me. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It is a murder, then?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Farm upon the left." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt lips." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Oh, yes, easily." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We to talk it over. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that this poor creature." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Sutherland?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Who by?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Did you become engaged then?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, who was a member of your goose club." "I have come for advice." my special province." became a certainty. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his point in the dark hollow of his hand. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "What then?" enter into my head. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and hour." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a tapping his fingers upon the table. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him."