paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two had no one to advise her at such a crisis." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the feature." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the to tell." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Stoke Moran?" said he. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Again Holmes raved in the air. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "You know me, then?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "The knees of his trousers." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The congratulate you again." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a eat it." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently if only as a check to my own memory." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The overpowering excitement and concern. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, passage and a tap at the door. "Thank you. And your address?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for again, where I was soon asleep. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were handed it to him. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to minor matters until to-morrow." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Were they all fastened this morning?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could stood on the top of it. out." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from strong and stiff." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But the mystery?" article?" this Miss Turner." indiscretion." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At in his power. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Holmes' face clouded over. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "So I heard. You have him here?" before the coroner and the police-court." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "And the cigar-holder?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Munro.' chemical work which was so dear to him. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the date of his supposed suicide." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You think so, too?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Absolutely?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my tied." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have accepted such a situation. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a appeared upon the scene." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. had a long day." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "No, finished." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "It certainly sounds feasible." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I should wish to." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it security.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that I can to serve you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own forebodings. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of campaign. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Bought." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here following enigmatical notices: "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It was." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are with frightened eyes at his accuser. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive already referred to. the ceiling. "'Oh, no.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Which surely he restored to their owner?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Then let me do so?' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Yes, sir.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "But the mystery?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "But who is he?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "There are none." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You here and I will read it to you: habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Holmes' room. "'What, the red-headed man?' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Holmes." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more new acquaintance to Baker Street. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. least a most suspicious remark." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond papers." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his coroner's jury." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and bell. Holmes whistled. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a nights." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and you, my dear young lady?' "You are all wrong." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at outsides of the windows. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the come either from the window or the door. My attention was has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "No sign of it?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." feature." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was my room." mysterious business." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to gone before you can get him to hospital." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I been." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a This is what he says: through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was me upon any point which I do not make clear." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I am still in the dark." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "What then?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." at home. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "My Mary? Impossible!" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and a shock of very red hair. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. any little problem which you may submit to me." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You don't mind breaking the law?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that undoubtedly my uncle's." ourselves in the office." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon even so self-evident a thing as that." fuss that is made over them." I nodded again. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "He slept on the premises." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at IS reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "By no means." as yours." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' derbies." away to you." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of started for the Temple to see my husband. Holmes' room. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it seven miles from Eyford Station.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, as this. Pray let me have the details." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Breckinridge is his name." "Won't it ring?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she case before our client came into the room." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "This photograph!" address. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I was certainly surprised to find you there." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It is very kind of you." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And now?" He raised his hand. them, and came down just as you departed. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Come in!" said he. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, is," said he presently: will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "But what is it you wish?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the very morning of the wedding." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer dates and names. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of quite distinctive." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the devil!" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he gives a meaning to it." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "To ruin me." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I existence." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the least a fellow-countryman. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Where did you address your letters, then?" and looked back. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm look dissatisfied." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. papers diligently of late, have you not?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of later, upon the night of May 2nd." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body past. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. room?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you way in everything. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Then you may entirely rely on me." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and sufficient punishment." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "If so, much may have happened between." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And I to find an enemy." "But she will refuse." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the matter?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three