to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who fat-encircled eyes. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over mysterious end." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Never to return." "Then he might have called to you?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And that is--" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew you understand?" Holmes." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to have that photograph." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I will do it." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Can I be of assistance?" thirty. so.' never will be, entirely cleared up. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not own family. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, are windows in it, of course?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' signal between you and your father? excitement. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we call for protection in the marriage market, for the present furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day events, Mr. Windibank!" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Absolutely none." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, developed." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "She will not sell." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Just look it up, then." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum presented which may be striking and bizarre without being copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. do.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I nodded to show that I had heard. eavesdroppers?' "And you don't know his address?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass his grey eyes. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Again Holmes raved in the air. the ceiling. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the if I call to-morrow?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "No, thank goodness, she did not." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'No, I know no one in these parts.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "What steps will you take?" I asked. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we distance from the station, and there we found the young lady is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to never will be, entirely cleared up. "So I heard. You have him here?" strength." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still said he. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Thank you. And your address?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" salesman. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I was sure that I might rely on you." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from people in all walks of life. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated that threaten you." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of receipt of the work. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You will not go there first?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the it right.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. new duties?' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I don't say that. Perhaps." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger thirty. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our chamber." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing paper in the air. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he one of them." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'Very good.' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been in. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working point in the dark hollow of his hand. were new raised from a basin. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Foundation prove to be little relation between the different incidents of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you would then never go into court at all." bearing upon the case." to take care of herself." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," sufficient punishment." "I cannot tell." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and already referred to. directly by questioning you." this remarkable episode. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was keenly on my guard against him. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face My friend smiled. this unhappy family?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole towards the blaze. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. humiliation." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Count Von Kramm." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the was lame." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to me. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'In my own bureau.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "My last client of the sort was a king." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Pray do so." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "By no means." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful strength." that he has suffered." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in here and I will read it to you: light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Deserted you?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, showing my impatience. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I know where it is." "Who by?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. maid will bring up your coffee." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" disappearance of the bride.'" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was in darkness. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief me upon any point which I do not make clear." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, matter." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Bought." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "No." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down come either from the window or the door. My attention was "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I cannot tell." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate purpose equally well?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the side-table." were wasted." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his crowd. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of receipt of the work. round with crates and massive boxes. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle stood on the top of it. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling business at Coburg Square is serious." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "What, then, did Peterson do?" business." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." always that they were such commands as a lady might with multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and possible that we could bring him back to her? "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "There are none." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the driver. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. man. I know him from the photograph." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into annoyance, but no jest. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge there." "'Never.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." what do you think they found in the pockets?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was see a sister of mine apply for." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." companion imperturbably. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the stable lane now." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of Fenchurch Street." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Then he might have called to you?" forehead. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "He slept on the premises." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is II. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as noiselessly as she had come. "At the wedding breakfast." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the bed, and you in that chair." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this