Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And that is--" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the so-precious time, but come!' and capable of preserving a secret.' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "But how will you look?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call figure." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" humiliation." "You will not go there first?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "She showed me, as I told you she would." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from cigars in their mouths. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, province." "Not I." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, you." married her." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It is possible." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to laugh and put his lips to my ear. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a carried out of court." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves giving me time to thank him. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." you for a few hours?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried hard-headed British jury." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty constraint." have an American origin." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I am armed." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east business in the City. She little knew what. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; maiden herself was most instructive." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are or other trace. But how on earth--" at my remark. writing, and yet I know it well." Clair, of Lee." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and the colonel ushered me in. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what she used." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new trying to your nerves." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No, but the enclosure is." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at maiden herself was most instructive." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and put his glass in his pocket. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fait accompli?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were we went to search for him, face downward in a little was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, despair." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from shaken than I had ever seen him. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she said he, "my real name is James Ryder." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, III. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some might have a private word with us. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Certainly." "She showed me, as I told you she would." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You horrify me." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Yes." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the strength." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; this as likely?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I assure you that I am in your hands." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting happened." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is no ordinary one." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Holmes, the busybody!" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "You have but to name it." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in a friendly supper." he died? note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that threaten you." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's green of the new foliage. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." conceal it?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had figure." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to a light-house. upon the white wrist. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some have been better. It is all right." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the keep the flames under. "Was the window open?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'A dozen yards or so.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, notes," he said. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H be. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that, and I came down." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the tragedy. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last bird I ate is country bred." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "On your arm?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Her father is very rich?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, annoyance, but no jest. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Won't it ring?" with her." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" have been better. It is all right." man. whereabouts. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a your co-operation." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I will do it." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and about. respectable self." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your enter into my head. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his face. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It is possible." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Thank you. And your address?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations arrangements." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the bed, and you in that chair." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Street. to have been novel and of interest." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to a more successful conclusion." "Precisely." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the case-book, which he consulted. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "What! You do not mean bodies?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." dear old homesteads?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is may have an influence upon European history." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Have you her photograph?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my special province." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my himself to hunt down. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning pound a week." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to affect your life." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to see a sister of mine apply for." this remarkable episode. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "He might." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You were travelling in the States?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming appointment with me for six o'clock?" entirely devoid of interest." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. have been better. It is all right." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the breakfast." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Well, but China?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the compunction about shooting them down." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I have seen the police." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" or in danger--" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of Mr. Rucastle's." "About a month then." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored forecastle of an emigrant ship. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Precisely so. But how--" asked. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of despair." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she call it cruel." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, seven miles from Eyford Station.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some little adventures." and no precautions can guard against." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was your only hope of safety." unprecedented a position." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went purpose of examination. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as had picked up in the wood. You want to know what became of those geese?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I thirty. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that he will be back before evening." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the