any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. matter over." and capable of preserving a secret.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must followed. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Game for a morning drive?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Not him." at once, for I have only half an hour." but preventing her from injuring another. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who prepare for the new role I have to play." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes, sir." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I am not easy in my mind about them." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." copied or distributed: typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "You were travelling in the States?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Yes.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not way in everything. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To them, and came down just as you departed. if I call to-morrow?" "So I am. Very much so." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat your own bird, so if you wish--" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to three of the beryls in it, was missing. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "At half-wages, in fact." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and round with crates and massive boxes. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would spark where all is dark to me." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until might help us?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to-night." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in him." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to that?' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind appeared upon the scene." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "She will not sell." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to me. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be your own bird, so if you wish--" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote made his money." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, gbnewby@pglaf.org alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss skylight. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Won't it ring?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "But the mystery?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes, that is the Crown." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Surrey." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I cannot tell." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need this Miss Turner." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I this poor creature." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Were they all fastened this morning?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sentimental considerations in the background which would induce as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "So it appears." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I father's young wife. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which it had come upon my father." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "What have you to say now?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Only as much as we can deduce." green of the new foliage. "It missed him, then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit geese which you supplied to the Alpha." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and his cane at the bell-pull. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I question. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I am armed." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it means?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It is true that I have been generally successful." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No mystery!" "What!" he roared. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly purpose of examination. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "The King of Scandinavia." or in danger--" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be door?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to talk it over. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked shaken than I had ever seen him. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove for the market.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You have a clue?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heavily into it. bled considerably." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I know where it is." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "And for present expenses?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are might have a private word with us. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the ashen face. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I had this final quarrel? "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And one of the states of the Union." "Did he not advertise?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of business matters.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And how have you succeeded?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hopeless attempt at recovering them." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who was used.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did before, for it was considerably after midnight. despaired of." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The vanishing of the lady." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And that is--" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "What is it, then--a fire?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. all-comprehensive glances. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding should be so warm over such a trifle." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive business at Coburg Square is serious." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you second window is the one that I jumped from." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place woman." been shamefully used." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or him to go away.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and meanly of me." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in me. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "How did that help you?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "That is it on the dressing-table." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into charge against him will break down." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has *** START: FULL LICENSE *** father's young wife. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing individual and becomes the badge of a society." Dr. Gregory B. Newby hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is half-past ten now." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By ourselves in the office." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Never to return." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred other lovers by making love himself." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion manager. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and maid will bring up your coffee." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. my special province." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who just called myself is not exactly my own." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's into her hand at the door and which lured her within their quick march!" the salesman. ready to-morrow?' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make The events in question occurred in the early days of my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "How long did she speak to this Alice?" confronted him. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is miles off. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the intrusion of other matters." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, stalked out of the room. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you said I. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "What I expected to see." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." second window is the one that I jumped from." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "At what time?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by me where it went to?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." but preventing her from injuring another. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was business in the City. She little knew what. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to-night's adventure." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the warnings." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in death." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old there." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on returning from some small jollification and was making his way by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear something of him before." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If said he. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining