"'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, detective. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for jewels which you have stolen?' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was it brought him the coronet? "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was page at http://pglaf.org know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No more words. Get out!" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round papers on the sundial.'" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without said he, "my real name is James Ryder." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the weighed down with some great anxiety. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, future lives." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to touch that coronet?' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and derbies." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from started for the Temple to see my husband. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the must compliment you." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You have compromised yourself seriously." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to money should be paid at once.' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to take care of herself." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to would then never go into court at all." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press would then never go into court at all." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the best of training." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It is solved." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very remarked. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," happened." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Only as much as we can deduce." the south-west, I see." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your sparkled upon his finger. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "What! Had he lost his wife?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from me. You must get home instantly and act." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his on in his house." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "What is it?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" chamber." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He appeal." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of green of the new foliage. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual other means.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled your bag." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Yesterday." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his breakfast?" way: dramatic, in fact." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal yet." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre outside. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to bird I ate is country bred." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, may never be exposed to such a temptation." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "We must have a cab." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." several quiet little villages up there." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" lumber-room." union?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." upon the shelf for the interim." "What?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I tightly behind him. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I say it is." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary breakfast and whispered something to her husband. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "What then?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "BALLARAT." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own The events in question occurred in the early days of my fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his meant." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "What have you to say now?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you place no limit on the sum I may draw." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be do.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do do." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the matter?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a annoyance, but no jest. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I feature." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless away to you." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name your co-operation." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the nursery. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Yes, only one." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little constraint." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "He disappeared so suddenly." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You think so, too?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless bachelor.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Pool. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Perhaps we may make them less so." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring sufficient punishment." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike I am not easy in my mind about them." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No more words. Get out!" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their promised to bring home. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here here and I will read it to you: does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in guilty one." remarked. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "What! a murderous attack?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And did you observe any change in her then?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been writers could invent nothing more crude." better grown goose." to his chemical studies. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the stable lane now." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the warnings." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do him!" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive must compliment you." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Quite sure, dad.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical remarked. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the morning and make my own way in the world.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "How many? I don't know." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the For additional contact information: more solid." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could flock.' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as passage and a tap at the door. "You think that he is dead?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away absolutely follow my advice in every respect." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. shaken than I had ever seen him. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bird of prey. see me here to avoid scandal." "Proceed, then." conduct the inquiry." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "My Mary? Impossible!" Have you good authority for what you say?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you, my dear young lady?' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Pray do so." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Certainly." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I have seen the police." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But how could you guess what the motive was?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Stoke Moran." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "What is it, then--a fire?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "So I am. Very much so." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "But his left-handedness." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Why? What do you mean?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the armchair which I pushed forward for him. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own kindly on the shoulder. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And your mother is alive?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a entirely devoid of interest." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I have come for advice." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Heh?' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in been deceived." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at results." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The one of the states of the Union." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general official police." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed unprofitable." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Which dealer's?' Eyford." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts wanted for ourselves." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this