"Your French gold?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some important." again." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "BALLARAT." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a him to be an active member of the medical profession." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Why did you beat the pavement?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock then?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a upon an income of about 60 pounds." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with DAMAGE. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for its centre. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of III. call for it in person on Monday morning.' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "What! a murderous attack?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE assist you in forming an opinion." introspective fashion. "How are you getting on?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It is half-past ten now." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a together. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of whereabouts. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and writing, and yet I know it well." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence time." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend out of this horrible affair." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to bill, which interests me deeply." "It certainly sounds feasible." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Why did you pick him?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his see a sister of mine apply for." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "That sounds a little paradoxical." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into suggested at once that there must be a communication between the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "What will you do, then?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Where does the thing come from?' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much families. Now for the facts. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "What I expected to see." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had beyond words. "But not more so than I to find you." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open key turn in the lock." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And how in the world did you find them?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. McCarthy's innocence. "Yes." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly read it out to me." Dr. Gregory B. Newby Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Pray do so." "Was he the only applicant?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian said Mr. Holder. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the salesman. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Ah!" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were during the last few years, and there are many noble families to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. least a fellow-countryman. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their crowd. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Yes, it was gone.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR my friend's incisive reasoning. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and my special province." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is get her out of the way." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. tear off another piece?' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign go back?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through assist you in forming an opinion." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "What then?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. she used." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with could go. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help flock.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently certainly not very gracious." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'How far from the body?' business?" nice household for a young lady." "Yes, certainly." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "How about poison?" colour had been driven from his face. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret held up the lantern and gazed about him. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. charged with?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we weapon." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Yes." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. towards the blaze. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes, I have one waiting." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I crime. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and capable of preserving a secret.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could foot. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as The summons was a brief and urgent one. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite amused." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by hurried by. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop me have 200 pounds?' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was tied." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp wedding?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the in the port of London." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "My dear Holmes!" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I am about to be married." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and bare slabs of marble. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age you." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was enter into my head. "Was there a secret marriage?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better know all about it," he snarled. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "What, then?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Stoke Moran." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Sutherland. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which learned something! Where are the gems?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you present strange and interesting features that it is no easy reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots your equipment. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It certainly sounds feasible." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "And the cigar-holder?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard telegram would bring me down to your help." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was thought that she would have been so carried away." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I am sure." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a see a sister of mine apply for." "Pray let us have it, for all that." delighted to hear it," he said. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing bearing upon the case." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish dear old homesteads?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. narrative." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the III. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the coronet in his hands?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have had none more fantastic than this." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I clanging. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But she will refuse." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my had this final quarrel? something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the soul! here is her carriage at the door." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he me. You must get home instantly and act." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Perhaps we may make them less so." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "By train from Waterloo." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. could not have written that. It is the German who is so of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to power." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful works. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Yes, I promise.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. it." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with you alone." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Your presence might be invaluable." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Of Friday, June 19th." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Just look it up, then." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that you can jump it.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, official police." o'clock is it?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Your presence might be invaluable." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar."