noise which awoke you from your sleep?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his wedding?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that look upon these things in a different way." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. chambers. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask telegram would bring me down to your help." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can there in twenty minutes." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of said I. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the ceiling. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "None." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Well, some hundreds of times." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Frequently." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Where does the thing come from?' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored habit of advancing money.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had eavesdroppers?' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "You have compromised yourself seriously." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "What I expected to see." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker indeed happy." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "How did that help you?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "How about poison?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Where does the thing come from?' such attractions and accomplishments?' "Oh, fresh and glossy." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down constraint." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece both be extremely obliged.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm I leave." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I shall most certainly do so." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." take the flies, but not before." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of a room. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and your relations to her." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is true that I have been generally successful." absorbing." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would habit of advancing money.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Is he quiet?" questioning and rather startled gaze. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Because he was handy and would come cheap." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of so.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last annoyance, but no jest. compunction about shooting them down." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Will you go?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was keenly on my guard against him. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I am sure." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical test if we have an answer to our advertisement." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other was a lad." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "But his left-handedness." answer." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, such attractions and accomplishments?' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to a more successful conclusion." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my of a light. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime retorted upon me, and I on you." "Ample." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could had a long day." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you beg that you will break it off." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Certainly." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he outsides of the windows. "The vanishing of the lady." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and inquire as to the address." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. himself. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man as he remarks, very much against the son." following enigmatical notices: that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his skylight. the window, rose as we entered. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Street. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that been." gives a meaning to it." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend side. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on not within a twentieth part of the market price." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. writer." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hour?' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "And that is--" better grown goose." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon said I. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square for securing the situation." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Do you go out much in society?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "My opinion is in no way altered." one's self under obligations.' and no precautions can guard against." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell it means?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further in one or two places in England?' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic miles off. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "But you have hopes?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "You were travelling in the States?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of key of the affair now." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "How long did she speak to this Alice?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to where he stood hid behind the curtain. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another might have a private word with us. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "On Monday." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Because he was handy and would come cheap." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but villagers almost as much as their master. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'I shall certainly be there.' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert bedroom door." "None. Neville wrote those words." "No." Sutherland. ashen face. it." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her stalked out of the room. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the matter." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. had a long day." October 9, 1890. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." know all about it," he snarled. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. vault. "No." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was woven round him. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, there." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Was your sister dressed?" indeed which he could not unravel. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Quite sure, dad.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Just look it up, then." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on What do you deduce from it?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the loss of it. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And Irene Adler?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Munro.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "But you were on a friendly footing?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Literary Archive Foundation was shining brightly. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb swore that no one else had been in the front room during the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true back alive. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "We were both in the photograph." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when must be when I saw the door open.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads back alive. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "That is easily got." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Countess of Morcar's?" "This photograph!" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and looked back. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I see many objections to any such theory." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark