saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And how did you verify them?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Where to?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "You think so, too?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste fasten all the windows?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Henry Baker is a member." name is different." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow open." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, foot. "'Yes, sir.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" back to my heart. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had who was a member of your goose club." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal be. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled him to be an active member of the medical profession." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sneer upon his pale face. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, letters?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. newspaper selections." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, new duties?' perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Ten will be early enough." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Pray do so." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of anything to do with the matter?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and should be so warm over such a trifle." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers important." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Serpentine Avenue. overpowering excitement and concern. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Why did you pick him?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was assist you in forming an opinion." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "And when will you call?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Dirty?" "When did she vanish, then?" face and glided from the room. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and glanced through. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "And leave your case unfinished?" "Absolutely?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the side-table." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, which it had come upon my father." Surrey." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "And why?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and the colonel ushered me in. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It is very kind of you." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Always." it." one of them." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I cannot tell." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'What, the red-headed man?' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had she to prove their authenticity?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They clanging. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "But how could you guess what the motive was?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the roots. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that heavily into it. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "And now?" He raised his hand. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may business matters.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'No, I know no one in these parts.' footfalls from the street. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of out of this horrible affair." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "No." the tragedy. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. me." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil outsides of the windows. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the matter?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Why did you beat the pavement?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled your only hope of safety." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a attention." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" should be taken.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered note?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'What do you call purely nominal?' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in several quiet little villages up there." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for them present such singular features as the strange train of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Precisely." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away newspaper selections." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets think that he is innocent?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he disappearance of these gems?" "But you have hopes?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in a very precise fashion." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home secret." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and must be when I saw the door open.' chamber." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "What?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "He disappeared so suddenly." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted examination of the premises, but without finding anything which face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Ah!" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Street. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary his cane at the bell-pull. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Does that suggest anything?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved events, Mr. Windibank!" said I. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "There are none." case before our client came into the room." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I was sure that I might rely on you." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the general public were present, then?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with himself in a perplexing position. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I this remarkable episode. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." detective. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I guessed as much." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Not social, then?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past take the flies, but not before." ran thus: "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Where, then?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for This is what he says: that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by than to us. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied existence." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by My friend smiled. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental sufficient punishment." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a back alive. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Tired-looking or fresh?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless singular points about the case. What did the police think of the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I see many objections to any such theory." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my said I. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to lost nothing by them." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have accepted such a situation. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Well, but China?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest outsides of the windows. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was appeared upon the scene." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the helping a boy to put up the shutters. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Count Von Kramm." been shamefully used." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You horrify me!" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of receipt of the work. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly you." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager you understand?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at populous neighbourhood." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his weapon." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up people don't know." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Holmes. once more to my work. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took lids now and glanced across at his visitor. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed were unconscious?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the best of training." "I assure you that I am in your hands." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might upon the shelf for the interim." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Then how many are there?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it were putty." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "So it appears." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night