"Well, it is a possible supposition." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'How far from the body?' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The main points of my analysis." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked whereabouts. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Dirty?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, disappearance of the bride.'" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H views." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I will get her to show me." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Then let me do so?' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it occurred." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. showing my impatience. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'What do you call purely nominal?' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Then I am your man." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known matters immensely." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It is very kind of you." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is who was a member of your goose club." "Her father is very rich?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But 11:15.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water The police have openly confessed that they can at present make their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as breakfast?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Chief Executive and Director known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the a monotonous occupation." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." your own bird, so if you wish--" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday events, Mr. Windibank!" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Yes, they were peculiar boots." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a seen the man in the road." Clair, of Lee." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "No. What a strange idea!" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had my former friend and companion. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "He is still with you, I presume?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "It is very kind of you." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room row." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It is possible." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The rest you will leave in our hands." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that mystery may be cleared along those lines." the running down." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Never to return." tell them apart.' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the had this final quarrel? corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was salesman. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. pierced for earrings?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to tackle the facts." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The murder was done with it." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. hereditary King of Bohemia." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "My photograph." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come chamber." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to-night's adventure." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very present strange and interesting features that it is no easy with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs constraint." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already enough to aid us in our search." together. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the woman." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the stones. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I see many objections to any such theory." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It is possible." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, a monotonous occupation." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, stalked out of the room. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to miss it." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich written, and locked the door of the office after me. said I. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others go--none." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' husband's writing, madam." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change telegram would bring me down to your help." really the only notable feature about the thing." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for answer." introspective fashion. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" bears upon the case?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "So I am. Very much so." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Was your sister dressed?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another legal crime." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me arrangements." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs ventilator." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "What then?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was through." six. Come in!" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself cigar and let me expound." "His face fell immediately. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his that there was nothing in it, after all." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are you." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Because he was handy and would come cheap." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Ample.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, been with you?" became a certainty. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his amused." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Well, some hundreds of times." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society acquaintance?" "'A dozen yards or so.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I would give my fortune to have them back." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the important." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of campaign. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." within hail.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" strode off upon his way. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so that you wished to speak to me?' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Not particularly." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "What! You do not mean bodies?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "But he might be a bachelor." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" some water from a caraffe. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "There are none." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if key turn in the lock." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle sentimental considerations in the background which would induce game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I have a cab outside." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting beyond words. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got outbreak?" annoyance, but no jest. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw which should have the effect of calling the attention of the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 1.F. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Here?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Stoke Moran." train.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Pool. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This late." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "How did he come?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting I held the little printed slip to the light. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and all of them with the keenest interest. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. them?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into wanted for ourselves." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the ceiling. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but me." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the loss of it. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down of note-paper. It read in this fashion: laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple mysterious end." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Mary, has deserted me." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all during the last few years, and there are many noble families to observed. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by outside." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other fattened it expressly for you.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Absolutely none." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "His face fell immediately. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" know what is wrong with it.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and effective." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the careless servant girl?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my must be when I saw the door open.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, some hundreds of times." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Always." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or