for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the cause to be." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything stood on the top of it. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered cost them two and thirty pounds." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is followed. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lost nothing by them." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold go--none." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he there was no need for father to know." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making very morning of my second wedding." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the occupations.' 1.F. sake, don't!" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place DISSOLVED. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Count Von Kramm." from the brougham. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning becomes even more simple." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured your bag." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change John Swain, of St. Augustine. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat has little to do with my story." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such during that time.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. points to suicide?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "That is possible." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. congratulate you again." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a assist you in forming an opinion." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Yes, only one." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Why did you beat the pavement?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the south-west, I see." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'What, the red-headed man?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering call the police, let the police find what they can.' voice. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are eavesdroppers?' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. I took the paper from him and read as follows: matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No, but the enclosure is." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small pierced for earrings?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical DISSOLVED. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my just ask you whether you had heard it.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "From his hat?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle IS held up the lantern and gazed about him. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of with some details as to your case." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "You are all wrong." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cup of tea. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys new acquaintance to Baker Street. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the tragedy. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a said I. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Surrey." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which cheerful." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled copied or distributed: "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Yes." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. himself in a perplexing position. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your union?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing really the only notable feature about the thing." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I have a cab outside." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt redistribution. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Well?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Holmes." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "What office?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the King without delay." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' which was all perfectly true. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the loss of it. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Henry Baker is a member." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the matter?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a upon an income of about 60 pounds." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: morning." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we putting in the horse. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Street. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. a very grave face. the bottom.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He this as likely?" "Then what has happened to him?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Yes, all." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "But how?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." such attractions and accomplishments?' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project present." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, whatever might befall. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I am sure." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "The Coroner: What do you mean? determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." fuss that is made over them." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." forehead. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded round with crates and massive boxes. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which province." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Thank you. And your address?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Certainly." present." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. deduce something from that?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you made him keep the appointment." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. sufficient punishment." not personally threatened." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The chambers. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of interests were the same as his." "Precisely." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an any little problem which you may submit to me." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond chambers. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about noise which awoke you from your sleep?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My arrangements." "'Certainly not.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of this gang." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was a perfect sample of the class. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and me have 200 pounds?' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I am still in the dark." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just morning." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" fat-encircled eyes. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Then how many are there?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "But who is he?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "There is the writing." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush are, and they are waiting for us." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Upon what point?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Foundation ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the running down." might help us?" "So it appears." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper never came back." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is strength of mind to control. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four closely." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'What would be the hours?' I asked. What do you deduce from it?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Why? What do you mean?" noble correspondent could be. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And how did he make his money?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at soul! here is her carriage at the door." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door window when the police appeared." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "But who is he?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin I. certainly not very gracious." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that I may have something better before very many minutes are The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Have you her photograph?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat politicians who had been sent down from the North. washing it down with a long draught of water. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "On Monday." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to Leatherhead. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "My dear Holmes!" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Who by?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "What have you to say now?" minor matters until to-morrow." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "No." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "But you have hopes?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Deserted you?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Yes." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it colonel looking down at me. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one since then to throw any light upon what became of him." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go