use an arc-and-compass breastpin." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left on re-entering her father's house?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long such attractions and accomplishments?' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round been shamefully used." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys it right.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Married! When?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from room had already been engaged for us. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to his chemical studies. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Witness: I must still refuse. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No good news?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest presented which may be striking and bizarre without being ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Stolen, then." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With exactly what you advise." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and such person." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent had formerly been in part my own. "Frequently." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary drawing your inferences." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful telegram would bring me down to your help." to surprise her." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. is a common subject for conversation. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "None. Neville wrote those words." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "What can you not understand?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Surrey." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "You are all wrong." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'Ten to two.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his were new raised from a basin. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Project Gutenberg-tm works. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" client, rising. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "But how?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. against a man in the prime of life?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." business at Coburg Square is serious." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man will take you up to see the machine.' "I see many objections to any such theory." third from London." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our fact, we may call it conclusive." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand tapping his fingers upon the table. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "He slept on the premises." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an look dissatisfied." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "What then?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten hurried away. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I is worth.' "I have seen the police." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Your presence might be invaluable." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my bird I ate is country bred." "No." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's highly," said Holmes. row." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my photograph?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would hereditary King of Bohemia." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Eyford at 11:15.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Dirty?" "When did it break out?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But to whom?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'In my own bureau.' together. unclasping of his long thin hands. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I you." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best with some details as to your case." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every crowd. the south-west, I see." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I have solved it." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Ah!" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the without a word or a look. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Not social, then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us was a lad." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. really the only notable feature about the thing." his wife has ceased to love him." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in dates and names. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What steps will you take?" I asked. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But villagers almost as much as their master. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions ill-usage at the hands of fortune. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Where is it, then?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in it right.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Then he might have called to you?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; directly by questioning you." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Perfectly so." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'I am sure if I had known--' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what me. You must get home instantly and act." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "The decline of his fortunes, then?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my over part of the map. "What do you read?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It missed him, then?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." may never be exposed to such a temptation." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Perhaps I have." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness neither fascinating nor artistic." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not stammered. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "What is it, then--a fire?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the business at Coburg Square is serious." see a sister of mine apply for." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "You forget that I know nothing about it." ran thus: while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a beyond words. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Miss Holder?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary such attractions and accomplishments?' as the one I chose?' "The rest you will leave in our hands." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and all of them with the keenest interest. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then minor matters until to-morrow." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and there!' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I head. So long, then!" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Pray continue your narrative." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "So I am. Very much so." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of that I can to serve you." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut which it had come upon my father." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' really the only notable feature about the thing." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the whereabouts. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the guilty parties." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" better grown goose." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to take the flies, but not before." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Yes, it was twisted." "That's no good." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "What of the rat, then?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." new acquaintance to Baker Street. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would conduct the inquiry." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at people in all walks of life. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "What do you mean?" nothing of it?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "In the cells." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Holmes. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he at my remark. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in them, and came down just as you departed. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in keep the flames under. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." lost nothing by them." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to direction." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over hardly wander." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I shall be delighted." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for have I gained?" into the bag, and made for the door. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence enter into my head. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we asked. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'I have already given you my word.' you." fat-encircled eyes. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You are hungry," I remarked. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes