of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. straighten it?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that you give your casting vote to?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of campaign. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. if I call to-morrow?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my here and I will read it to you: my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he. DISSOLVED. as he remarks, very much against the son." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle standing smiling on the door-step. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." horse could go." "I will do it." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, in this way: firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It is very clear." compunction about shooting them down." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall be. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Was she in good spirits?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "It is possible." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "How did that help you?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "She told me to ask you." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "What will you do, then?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which jewels which you have stolen?' "So I have heard." despair." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the bottom.' least a most suspicious remark." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what my secret was safe in his possession. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are matter over." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I was concerned in it." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study from the brougham. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am this unhappy family?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint But Holmes shook his head gravely. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled gone. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features who was a member of your goose club." "You have carte blanche." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight into the room. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side waste of energy." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of is worth.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to miss it." Eyford at 11:15.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to-night?' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell hard-headed British jury." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "So I heard. You have him here?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" becomes even more simple." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "By train from Waterloo." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and question," said Holmes, smiling. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was locked." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." without a word or a look. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in my life." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have in. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." case-book, which he consulted. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." himself to hunt down. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' gigantic client. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes. He waved his hands." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, for its centre. Chief Executive and Director Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. companion quietly. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "The landlord of the Alpha." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not bare slabs of marble. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. placed his cuttings. Pool. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" had this final quarrel? gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Yes." never to learn it at all." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that plantation.' "And sit in the dark?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Murdered?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the have not had my rubber." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to could go. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE client, rising. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes 11:15.' see me here to avoid scandal." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have once more to my work. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and shoulder. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." London for the present?" "Then I shall certainly come." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, bird of prey. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sooner or later she must fall a victim. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, forbidden door. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Your presence might be invaluable." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the residence of the great financier. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A married her." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It surprised me." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, said he. imbecility!" he cried. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Do you know him?" "And you don't know his address?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "By no means." helping a boy to put up the shutters. could go. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a me where it went to?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Serpentine Avenue. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And how did you verify them?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. are, and they are waiting for us." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Certainly, madam." Leadenhall Street--and--" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to think that he is innocent?" questionable one." "'Very good.' "'How far from the body?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was him to go away.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No wedding?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the just called myself is not exactly my own." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Not yet." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "And your mother is alive?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional tail." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." handed it to him. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I think that it is very probable." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Frequently." there was no need for father to know." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered maiden herself was most instructive." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old outsides of the windows. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of here and I will read it to you: window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their already referred to. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, sir." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Has he come with you to-night?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you came in." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving populous neighbourhood." "Then what has happened to him?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Why that?' I asks. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "And help." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Of what?" least a most suspicious remark." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all been anything against him. He had for years been known as a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part it." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I should wish to." with her." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes, certainly." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'You cannot say what it was?' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. wedding?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you as the one I chose?' "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Lee, in the county of Kent." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "How on earth--" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Then, how do you know?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, there in twenty minutes." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was ourselves in the office." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of back to my heart. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. could go. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and very old mansion. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "But of what society?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. nice household for a young lady." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is families. Now for the facts. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very