purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One bore every mark of being an average commonplace British our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened me have 200 pounds?' "You have the photograph?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said presented more singular features than that which was associated arms and began to sob in a high treble key. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear said he. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest eat it." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the morning and make my own way in the world.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I have a cab outside." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Again Holmes raved in the air. "An accident, I presume?" his forehead." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt business?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a round with crates and massive boxes. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he careless servant girl?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." indiscretion." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with do you make of it all?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable entirely devoid of interest." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Yes, he did." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "And what did you see?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "How about poison?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "But your client--" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And how?" how narrow had been my escape. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "And why?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended noise which awoke you from your sleep?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I am all attention, madam." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest is now desirous of getting those letters back." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Won't it ring?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special asked. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper begin with, and I had not got mine yet." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight criminal. We have already had experience of such." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in darkness. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." washing it down with a long draught of water. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I which it had come upon my father." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to Leatherhead. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short was a lad." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who him to go away.' "But his lameness?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of them has the shutters up.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Then let me do so?' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Well?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I have my revolver," said I. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be this as likely?" goes." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I see no marks." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'What then?' I asked. I took the paper from him and read as follows: sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "My stepfather's business papers." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was pictures, libraries, or plate. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "And why?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue be.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'And the work?' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It is his hat." "Frequently." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had fatally injured? significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "In heaven's name, what for?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been conceal it?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "So I have heard." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually himself to tell his story. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me said Mr. Holder. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You will not go there first?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. public press." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Always." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Perfectly so." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to returned to France?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the me upon any point which I do not make clear." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than recall any case within my experience which looked at the first took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they place no limit on the sum I may draw." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Yes, he did." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he get her out of the way." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a cigars in the box." "Not I." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who orange pips. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Was he the only applicant?" shoulder; "he's all right." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I should be immensely obliged to you." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Of what?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." My friend smiled. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Holmes' face clouded over. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Was the window open?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. crackling voice. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'You cannot say what it was?' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hand, madam?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Pray continue your narrative." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "My private note-paper." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as this. Pray let me have the details." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it a little more before I quite committed myself. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "She walked into the breakfast-room." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he them, and came down just as you departed. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from stood on the top of it. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, you?' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Certainly,' I answered. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Very much so." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "How about poison?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Stolen." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "You were travelling in the States?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a charged with?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the loss of it. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging thin legs towards the fire. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of this gang." morning." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'What do you call purely nominal?' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and capable of preserving a secret.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The this truth that in these little records of our cases which you yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. head. So long, then!" of a light. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Stolen." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I am following you closely," I answered. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Where, then?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Your sister is dead, then?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you golden eyeglasses. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "But how did you gain them?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. at my remark. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "It was an hour's good drive." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. from you?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "And why in hopes?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. served to weaken the effect. "We must have a cab." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the loss of it. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence coat-tails." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second occurred." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was keenly on my guard against him. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Never.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I question," said Holmes, smiling. "It is half-past ten now." "And is that all?" not, dad?" she asked. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered could not account in any way for the presence of the missing course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was back into the street. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able appeared upon the scene."