"It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "And what did you learn from him?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. clang of the bell. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Ample.' "I have solved it." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I have it here in my museum." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the four million human beings all jostling each other within the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was man. "Could he throw no light?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark business at Coburg Square is serious." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to him, that man would not have given me such complete information Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It is very clear." to his chemical studies. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "That is not always so easy." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "No, but the enclosure is." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable sound at heart." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. lips." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, was a perfect sample of the class. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hard-headed British jury." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "A client, then?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Holmes' thin, eager face. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I think that I had better go, Holmes." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only thought that she would have been so carried away." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something skylight. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his strong and stiff." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power over here." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all begun to whiten, even as mine has." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord better in every way that they should make their position a little stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "She told me to ask you." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the here." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his just ask you whether you had heard it.' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left eavesdroppers?' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" better in every way that they should make their position a little delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "We have tried and failed." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in respectable self." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. shall not find me ungrateful." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers together. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped as yours." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Sholtos." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Quite so. She has her freedom." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes' face clouded over. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I depend upon my doing so.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I at home. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always examination of the premises, but without finding anything which your bag." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the night.' not come at once?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You'll never persuade me to believe that." ceremony." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told me where it went to?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Nor running a chance of arrest?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "In the cells." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to her also." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "To an end?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, tightly behind him. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Entirely." undoubtedly my uncle's." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of pictures, libraries, or plate. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the power." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and have this put in the evening papers." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when What do you deduce from it?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for discontent upon his features. an introduction to him?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One not, dad?" she asked. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive shaken than I had ever seen him. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I me have 200 pounds?' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I of." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'I have heard so.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." companion. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I am sure." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few in his power. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I at once, for I have only half an hour." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned photograph?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. rooms." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "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 the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "But the mystery?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Really! You surprise me." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" against a man in the prime of life?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But he might be a bachelor." "Stolen, then." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But she could not love him." never came back." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house breakfast and whispered something to her husband. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one prison!" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and one's self under obligations.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a answer." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are very morning of my second wedding." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that skylight. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, outside. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers outside. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of awkward doing business with an alias." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may you in your example." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. tied." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Entirely.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "To the police?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to carriage. It was a chestnut." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off vanished into the darkness. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "No." again before evening." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously exactly what you advise." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day it means?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "A call for help, you thought?" "You think that he is dead?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'You cannot say what it was?' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to-night?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Not in a good cause." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John some mystery and the punishment of some crime." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his grey eyes. in the port of London." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the side-table." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, the wine-cellar." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Where to?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in here and I will read it to you: DISSOLVED. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the matter." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "What can you not understand?" leaning back in his chair. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Her father is very rich?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I fear not." "That also I could fathom." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes, he did." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It certainly sounds feasible." "What will you do, then?" ago." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls humiliation." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was with you alone." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If