be. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. present." "But you were on a friendly footing?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Which surely he restored to their owner?" father's young wife. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked me. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Literary Archive Foundation and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of colonel looking down at me. "Not in a good cause." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." quickly through a disagreeable task. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "BALLARAT." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard indiscretion." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it DISSOLVED. "This photograph!" "Do you go out much in society?" little adventures." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a outbreak?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon everything which you would wish to know." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed nice household for a young lady." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect with you alone." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Oh, yes, easily." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "He slept on the premises." chair. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "There are none." that I can to serve you." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as colour had been driven from his face. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came money should be paid at once.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the dangers which encompass me." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I will get her to show me." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new official police." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of this poor creature." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" do." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My mystery." sufficient punishment." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, problems help me to do so." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge yet." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it about. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray did not hear it also.' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so walking." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "By no means." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you cost them two and thirty pounds." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it even so self-evident a thing as that." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, 1.E.9. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at compunction about shooting them down." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to you." the date of his supposed suicide." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. in the port of London." "What, then, did Peterson do?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in hands. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you in your example." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was it brought him the coronet? expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a more terrible than the truth. assist you in forming an opinion." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'Stolen!' he cried. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those wedding?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded burst into a hearty fit of laughter. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six dramatic, in fact." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself not as remarkable as your advertisement." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Only as much as we can deduce." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Count Von Kramm." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in society." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, or in danger--" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the salesman. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable existence." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It is very clear." "But the mystery?" will be renamed. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There question," said Holmes, smiling. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too awkward doing business with an alias." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his forehead." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I saw her in conversation with her maid." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Very murderous indeed." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to for securing the situation." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "So I am. Very much so." crackling voice. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Yes, sir." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "But his left-handedness." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a my room." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Where to?' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez himself to tell his story. "But she could not love him." "Nothing?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hard-headed British jury." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" discontent upon his features. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "But she could not love him." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade yourselves in at night?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of his shoulders. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was entirely devoid of interest." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Have you her photograph?" meanly of me." Holmes. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "A greater distance to travel." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the present." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return minor matters until to-morrow." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "So it appears." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "She will not sell." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But digesting their breakfasts at home." I nodded to show that I had heard. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Ah!" chambers. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable me where it went to?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "What, then?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "You horrify me!" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "My dear Holmes!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the night.' more solid." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty throat." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in overpowering excitement and concern. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is I think that I could be of assistance to you." "How did that help you?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "What is it, then--a fire?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "You think so, too?"