column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the bottom.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another your own bird, so if you wish--" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." corner of the building. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in you do it in twenty minutes!' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business have one." "I will try. What is it?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Oh, fresh and glossy." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. will be renamed. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where chill to my heart. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the was already answered. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Arthur Conan Doyle could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "But how did you gain them?" cheerful." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Her father is very rich?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor front of the hall door has given its name to the place. anything to do with the matter?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said digesting their breakfasts at home." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." returning from some small jollification and was making his way 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It is half-past ten now." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Why, it's a dummy," said he. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other wedding?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I don't believe it." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice what do you think they found in the pockets?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, done what I asked you, Jones?" forebodings. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at them, and came down just as you departed. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Two days later this same performance was gone through under know that the truth is known." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was shining brightly. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning papers diligently of late, have you not?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need my special province." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship of the way of danger. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' time." "So it appears." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Sutherland?" "You horrify me." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Oh, yes, easily." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, call the police, let the police find what they can.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "But to whom?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my hair?' "Then you may be so with me." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I am in hopes that she does." had a long day." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And how?" chamber." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "One?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I assure you that I am in your hands." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were your room." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Get out!" said he. so.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let signal between you and your father? fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with have one." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he light and attacked it." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Pray let us have it, for all that." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to crime." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the side-table." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There all that?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. mysterious end." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else morning." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It certainly sounds feasible." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I would give my fortune to have them back." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as criminal. We have already had experience of such." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The seen the man in the road." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I public press." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a quickly through a disagreeable task. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual you found me to-night--and running through the front room she are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy not, dad?" she asked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by round and wave him away like that.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given is now desirous of getting those letters back." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were past. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Oh, fresh and glossy." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, obstinate." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my occupations.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. you do it in twenty minutes!' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "9th. McCauley cleared. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Well, some hundreds of times." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Project Gutenberg-tm works. is worth.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and the whole place is in a blaze." exactly what you advise." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, papers diligently of late, have you not?" main points of my analysis." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Miss Holder?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, friends, not even his own brother. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off cost them two and thirty pounds." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of the one which your family is now devouring." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the a monotonous occupation." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Edgeware Road. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. used to be." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." as he remarks, very much against the son." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his about. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" humiliation." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the bottom.' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean have one." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "What I expected to see." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he vault. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Have you her photograph?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds again." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to-night?' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to affect your life." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'There is a drive, then?' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and your relations to her." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." memory. "He is still with you, I presume?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" in my life." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their business came to an end." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from not come at once?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Yes, there are nearly always some there." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I know where it is." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "A call for help, you thought?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out direction." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Doctor, of the paper and the date." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And how did he make his money?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. enough to aid us in our search." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, may never be exposed to such a temptation." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in have not had my rubber." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and tear off another piece?' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what make me his representative both with the servants and with the down. delighted to hear it," he said. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and did not hear it also.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the ourselves in the office." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have I gained?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'You cannot say what it was?' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "What is it, then--a fire?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'I am sure if I had known--' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain.