"So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a giving me time to thank him. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "A client, then?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And leave your case unfinished?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A as yours." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Not him." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, place no limit on the sum I may draw." future lives." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a during which he might have communicated with his friend the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to records." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Nearly eleven." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were bird of prey. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his cigars in the box." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Heh?' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune train.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You have compromised yourself seriously." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': not fit the lock." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little them?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the matter." dates and names. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "There is the writing." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. in the dead of the night?' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, This is what he says: the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as cheerful." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Of what day?" to that open window." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': question," said Holmes, smiling. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that relation between them, and what the object of his repeated provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will politicians who had been sent down from the North. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end horse could go." "To the police?" man. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Look there!" said he. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, affair. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, placed his cuttings. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no not as remarkable as your advertisement." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, is," said he presently: The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent depend upon my doing so.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "He might." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the side-table." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Then I shall certainly come." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" in this note: seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "My Mary? Impossible!" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sit on the left-hand side of the driver." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened details." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that I can to serve you." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my wedding?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy to-night." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Yes, it was gone.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, him. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She signal between you and your father? Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Then how many are there?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend daring than any effort of the imagination." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, business." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the one as in the other." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'I have already given you my word.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything helping a boy to put up the shutters. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to talk it over. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "To an English lawyer named Norton." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you undoubtedly my uncle's." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Then I shall certainly come." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Ah!" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "You think that he is dead?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it nonsense.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout has little to do with my story." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the nights." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "You were travelling in the States?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and works. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what disappearance of the bride.'" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Yes, that is the Crown." stalked out of the room. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "But how did you gain them?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case have established a very serious case against the son of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Not I." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "But his left-handedness." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in question," said Holmes, smiling. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "It is no ordinary one." instincts rose up against that laugh. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." gone. little adventures." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not strength in the others." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and put his glass in his pocket. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting writer." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less better grown goose." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It was an hour's good drive." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black made his money." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning she might be summoned. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Arthur Conan Doyle "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Breckinridge is his name." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said shall not find me ungrateful." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution not personally threatened." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "What can it mean?" I gasped. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a lost his Christmas dinner." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "To ruin me." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and that he would see to anything that turned up. opened the door, and slipped through. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Yes." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Sutherland. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector off." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a have had none more fantastic than this." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper questioning and rather startled gaze. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." back to my heart. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, weighed down with some great anxiety. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "One of his hands." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of electronic works "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And what then?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "And you can do nothing until then?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of a monotonous occupation." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You are hungry," I remarked. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." is," said he presently: "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Will you bet, then?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "What office?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I held the little printed slip to the light. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my ways including including checks, online payments and credit card however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and