orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and glanced through. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question investigation." "This concluded the examination of the witness." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, legal crime." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Pool. this remarkable episode. tell him that I know him to be innocent." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" case-book, which he consulted. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so morning." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Watson," he said cordially. will be renamed. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and capable of preserving a secret.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch ourselves in the office." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton you, my dear young lady?' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, prisoner's face. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And how did he make his money?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "There is the writing." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" morning." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I promise," said Holmes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as discontent upon his features. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at as yours." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yes." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I never have." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We business in the City. She little knew what. "10th. John Swain cleared. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Look there!" said he. the running down." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Then I can wait in the next room." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He carriage. It was a chestnut." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "So it appears." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without might have a private word with us. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' her also." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." You want to know what became of those geese?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Dr. Becher's." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Which dealer's?' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "We were both in the photograph." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so States. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Your presence might be invaluable." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have that I am arrested." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella The events in question occurred in the early days of my fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." possible that we could bring him back to her? in this way: "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a foresight and the moral retrogression?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be burst out into a roar of laughter. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he are windows in it, of course?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "But he might be a bachelor." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "No, but the enclosure is." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was will he say when he returns?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "To an end?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Certainly, madam." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am copied or distributed: transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having someone who had been in Australia." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Witness: Nothing definite. asked. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "No." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I see no marks." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might a suggestive one." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife on re-entering her father's house?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, could go. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which we had just quitted. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and that he would see to anything that turned up. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove then?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'I have already given you my word.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have together. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "My own seal." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "His face fell immediately. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double asked. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the warnings." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be man. I know him from the photograph." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she grasp, he hurried from the room. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I guessed as much." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 'I should be able to look after that for you.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his awaited us upon the table. "Pray let us have it, for all that." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "But of what society?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words you, my dear young lady?' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as The King stared at him in amazement. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and no precautions can guard against." "I cannot think." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'What then?' I asked. be there in time for your coming." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. go back?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. if she died from some sudden fright." young Openshaw's." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after had picked up in the wood. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "That is easily got." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "And Miss Sutherland?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I companion. flock.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and laid it on the table. the loss of it. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with memory. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "What do you make of that, Watson?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "No, finished." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Deserted you?" "Yes." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand before the coroner and the police-court." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw is entirely a question of barometric pressure." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, miles off. more terrible than the truth. both be extremely obliged.' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "The King of Scandinavia." "I came to find a friend." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. call you and give you the chance." For additional contact information: framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'As governess?' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Certainly." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Holmes' thin, eager face. go back?" "To an end?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the matter." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Pray do so." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried against a man in the prime of life?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, begun to whiten, even as mine has." situation." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at distance from the station, and there we found the young lady some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Then I am your man." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Heh?' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I will do it." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I fled together." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and the whole place is in a blaze." formed some opinion?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be what these perils are?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and effective." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back row." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight there in twenty minutes." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "What then?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as noting anything else of interest. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out I shall continue with my miserable story. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to dead, shall be safe with us." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he