myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It is to him that this trophy belongs." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Holmes." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sooner or later she must fall a victim. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to have been novel and of interest." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal look upon these things in a different way." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the driver. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' has little to do with my story." the morning and make my own way in the world.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it goes." or other trace. But how on earth--" and the church but not where the lady lived." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "You forget that I know nothing about it." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. presume?" spare." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have ordinary clothes on?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the morning and make my own way in the world.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham his wife has ceased to love him." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that foresight and the moral retrogression?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "And leave your case unfinished?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his light and attacked it." "Was he the only applicant?" Holmes' face clouded over. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And who is her maid?" pound a week." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I touch that coronet?' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Holmes' thin, eager face. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the dangers which encompass me." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so few hundred pounds.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. you do it in twenty minutes!' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I was concerned in it." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of John Swain, of St. Augustine. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "To ruin me." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the very morning of the wedding." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view with her." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I am sure." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are desk. arrested. You then--" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by later, upon the night of May 2nd." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the station." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the running down." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in interests were the same as his." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the little opening for the ventilator is." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our himself. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. purpose of examination. "By train from Waterloo." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes." burst out into a roar of laughter. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And why in hopes?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable strange features which were associated with the two crimes which along the entire front of the house, with three long windows word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is astonishment. and that he would see to anything that turned up. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just several quiet little villages up there." "No, distinctly professional." generous with you in money matters.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "The Coroner: What do you mean? looking up at the numbers of the houses." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Nearly eleven." License. You must require such a user to return or chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Deserted you?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "That is not always so easy." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), cost them two and thirty pounds." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Your French gold?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Murdered?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It is no ordinary one." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "In heaven's name, what for?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "But how will you look?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a My friend smiled. "'What, the red-headed man?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she walking." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in on in his house." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, hour?' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "And why in hopes?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the ourselves in the office." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." feature." fuss that is made over them." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round will he say when he returns?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make to arrive at through this?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to me. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was shining brightly. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some friends, not even his own brother. quickly through a disagreeable task. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down province." chance at all." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. one else, I think." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the out of this horrible affair." "But the mystery?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on to you." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United you." criminal. We have already had experience of such." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." criminal. We have already had experience of such." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. late!' back to my heart. any little problem which you may submit to me." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage should be so warm over such a trifle." not come at once?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." at my own good fortune. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I say it is." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "What then?" security.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was not a bird to be seen there. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to placed his cuttings. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a if I call to-morrow?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I but preventing her from injuring another. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project may have an influence upon European history." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is showing my impatience. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to would then never go into court at all." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' them?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little companion. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "No, finished." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Which dealer's?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Certainly." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'A dozen yards or so.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter You want to know what became of those geese?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just answered with a sidelong glance. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking death." "'Yes, sir.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A you came in." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I took the paper from him and read as follows: still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And what did you learn from him?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Certainly." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. new acquaintance to Baker Street. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up cost them two and thirty pounds." in the port of London." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Won't it ring?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be article?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. once more for Briony Lodge. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I cannot imagine." was a lad." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, chamber." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "You have compromised yourself seriously." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness away in different directions, and I went off to make my own were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he during which he might have communicated with his friend the brandy and water within his reach. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the running down." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the not as remarkable as your advertisement." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I cannot imagine." certainly do as you advise." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his notes," he said. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events American. Then who could this American be, and why should he week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith