in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "And how?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time remarked. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I promise," said Holmes. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow with you?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Come in!" said he. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third indiscretion." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the you want, then?' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, be. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very some terrible trap for her." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." fasten all the windows?" "Nothing." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no questionable one." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "But his lameness?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems one which it was hard to resist. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, made his money." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I should wish to." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of outbreak?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the coronet in his hands?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Yes. He waved his hands." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to coroner's jury." "I think it very unlikely." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, them, and came down just as you departed. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I outsides of the windows. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we vault. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my you?' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'In my own bureau.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the keep the flames under. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering tell them apart.' public press." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes, sir." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as in the port of London." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's unprofitable." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he crowd. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the comes from the middle window." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was already answered. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Where is it, then?" "Well, some hundreds of times." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands friends, not even his own brother. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It missed him, then?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such looking up at the numbers of the houses." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What do you mean?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any to arrive at through this?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was shining brightly. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of know that the truth is known." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, if only as a check to my own memory." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. followed. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings sneer upon his pale face. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that in. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But conversation I have gathered that they have been married about horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must his grey eyes. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "That was it, sir." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." within hail.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Henry Baker is a member." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Is he quiet?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "At what time?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the tragedy. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Very good.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no has little to do with my story." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon the sideboard." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so with some details as to your case." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the running down." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to tell." when your master had gone out." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, developed." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I have seen the police." "Upon what point?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "No. What a strange idea!" congenial hunt. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Precisely." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential have I gained?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my for and were ordered to this address. whether it answered to the description of any of their to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up tell him that I know him to be innocent." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Will you bet, then?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, are windows in it, of course?" vanished into the darkness. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a sooner or later she must fall a victim. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "At what time?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "And how in the world did you find them?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Is purely nominal.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you undoubtedly my uncle's." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then kindly on the shoulder. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you present." will take you up to see the machine.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Did he not advertise?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to so far?" better in every way that they should make their position a little entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the night.' said he. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, ago." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the coroner come to?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dead, shall be safe with us." "My dear Holmes!" Where does the thing come from?' round with crates and massive boxes. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was read over the extraordinary announcement. disappearance of the bride.'" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the hand, madam?" tail." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But you have hopes?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building with you alone." What do you deduce from it?" flock.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert think that any burglar could have done. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Precisely." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and laid it on the table. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had business." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow it." certainly not very gracious." in his power. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we desk. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I know where it is." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. vault. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. face and glided from the room. that there was nothing in it, after all." Project Gutenberg-tm works. asked. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By emerged. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a waste of energy." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "That is unusual in a young girl." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of foot. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' there!' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, main points of my analysis." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You don't mind breaking the law?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if arrested. You then--" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings paper in the air. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "And now?" I asked. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable drove away. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better rooms." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Could he throw no light?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed conclusions. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. photograph a cabinet?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Stoke Moran." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled developed." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hard-headed British jury." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the south-west, I see." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present III. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right way in everything. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the village inn over there?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Count Von Kramm." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." must be when I saw the door open.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be strength of mind to control. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and entirely devoid of interest." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set sufficient punishment."