an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The true." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I highroad, where all traces were lost. again." "I beg pardon." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to-night?' that I may have something better before very many minutes are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Dark enough and sinister enough." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "But what harm can there be in that?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she before, for it was considerably after midnight. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and have this put in the evening papers." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "We must have a cab." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if DISSOLVED. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "I think that it is very probable." "Very much so." the tragedy. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But his lameness?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Yes, all." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew I leave." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at back into the street. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been my secret was safe in his possession. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It's nothing of the kind." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My someone who had been in Australia." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you my little problems." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend fatally injured? so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired thin legs towards the fire. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Where did he live, then?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "No, finished." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of once more for Briony Lodge. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which like that before?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You did not overhear what they said?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Quite so. She has her freedom." her also." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the think, you have already met." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you business." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have http://gutenberg.net/license). that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit have not had my rubber." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan he. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little a very grave face. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that I may have something better before very many minutes are chance at all." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our mystery!" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I beg pardon." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Upon what point?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and put his glass in his pocket. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ closely." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The gentleman I describe." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel that?' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Then let me do so?' some terrible trap for her." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain father's place of business?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No legal papers or certificates?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours bell. Holmes whistled. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his grey eyes. only touch the interest." "And who is her maid?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and relief. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. copied or distributed: "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who gone. hands. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander made his money." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "He said that you could solve anything." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with passage and a tap at the door. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" stepfather?" in his hands." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "And how did he make his money?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are my little problems." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. tapping his fingers upon the table. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was society." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I obstinate." what is your own theory as to what took place?" morning." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Certainly." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen tied." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Ah!" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother next day. "What do you mean?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the himself to hunt down. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 reach." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that you saw all that I did." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper like gravel from a pit.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I have an American origin." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to had a long day." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a who was a member of your goose club." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Quite sure, dad.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That is unusual in a young girl." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Certainly,' I answered. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no business at Coburg Square is serious." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his rose-bushes. exactly what you advise." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to them?" to you." that you can jump it.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Indeed! Whose, then?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our little adventures." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" one's self under obligations.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your sooner or later she must fall a victim. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I assure you that I am in your hands." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I was mad--insane." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this seven miles from Eyford Station.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. later, upon the night of May 2nd." least a fellow-countryman. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' highroad, where all traces were lost. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It surprised me." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Of Friday, June 19th." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Yes, but only for you and me." "Look there!" said he. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "And how did he make his money?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan once more for Briony Lodge. meant it for the best. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Sutherland. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips them, and came down just as you departed. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "May I see it?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the roots. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the writer." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" charged with?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his character. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a them present such singular features as the strange train of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months dates and names. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Game for a morning drive?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Frequently." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running security.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, both be extremely obliged.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'And the work?' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" shoulder. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at God! What an exposure! What can I do?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that maiden herself was most instructive." "Then I am your man." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the coronet in his hand?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Then he might have called to you?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You are all wrong." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I never have." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the side-table."