everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began became a certainty. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." instincts rose up against that laugh. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "That was it, sir." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It missed him, then?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts just ask you whether you had heard it.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to individual and becomes the badge of a society." with you alone." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the devil!" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable opened a pocket-book and took out a note. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Absolutely?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I he. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For him to go away.' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sake, don't!" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "You have but to name it." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I nodded to show that I had heard. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I should wish to." with her." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Deserted you?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. as this. Pray let me have the details." British peeress.'" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I nodded again. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between tell me that you intended to go into harness." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you answered with a sidelong glance. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'Where could I find him?' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thin legs towards the fire. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "So I am. Very much so." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the coronet at all injured?" in a friendly supper." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Stolen, then." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Of what day?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended back alive. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a What do you deduce from it?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" closing the door. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Certainly." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. question. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country to-night?' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at fluttered off among the others. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he disappearance of the bride.'" yourselves in at night?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to think you a quite exceptional woman." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your more solid." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any on re-entering her father's house?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Clair, of Lee." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very works. reach." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the morning and make my own way in the world.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone tell them apart.' "I shall be delighted." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the coronet in his hands?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque floor. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Arthur Conan Doyle face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is his hat." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his astonishment. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary towards the blaze. "You have a clue?" business?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "On Monday." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend dates and names. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And from a noble client?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the I took the paper from him and read as follows: much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she thin legs towards the fire. within hail.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and had formerly been in part my own. "How do you know, then?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at II. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I yourselves in at night?" to that open window." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I detective. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the status with the IRS. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "And why?" "But how?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "What will you say?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Nothing?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Entirely." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to wall." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Holmes. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" to change my dress. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the stable lane now." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector States. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have returning from some small jollification and was making his way of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle written. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "What?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and all of them with the keenest interest. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through strength." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Lee, in the county of Kent." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in go from here to the Strand." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that it with his own hands." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Was the window open?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a assist you in forming an opinion." "Nothing?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone over his head with a sweet womanly caress. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his cigar and let me expound." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "No?" "And what did you learn from him?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I approached. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, strength." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all so far?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "We have tried and failed." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Witness: I must still refuse. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "How on earth--" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very get the tickets." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" one which it was hard to resist. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the possible that we could bring him back to her? buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where all that?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand fled together." "Yes, from Horsham." crime." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that threaten you." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in your London, you will know that the office of the company is slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Watson," he said cordially. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." to you." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, on re-entering her father's house?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were bonnet, and went out." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "On your arm?" "A confidential servant?" when your master had gone out." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or long narrative. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary outsides of the windows.