still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California visitors." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all of the way of danger. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Project Gutenberg-tm works. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Edgeware Road. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "The murder was done with it." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "How did he come?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate You want to know what became of those geese?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he like that before?" "And how did you verify them?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the window, rose as we entered. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. you want, then?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of might help us?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "But of what society?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the to tell." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has suspect him." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What!" he roared. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "But of what society?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Precisely." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "You are certainly joking, Holmes." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Perhaps I have." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No, my brougham is waiting." that are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have opened the door, and slipped through. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "On Monday." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': made his money." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "And how have you succeeded?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The gentleman I describe." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were there!' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two developed." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The John Swain, of St. Augustine. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Well, some hundreds of times." problems help me to do so." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. handed it to him. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Here?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You have a clue?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary his face. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Serpentine Avenue. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I would pay ten." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I will try. What is it?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the over part of the map. "What do you read?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and a shock of very red hair. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to that open window." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Yes, the wine-cellar." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." absorbing." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock him!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the child." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I fear not." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be papers." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the helping a boy to put up the shutters. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." chambers. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And it is--" "What then?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Your sister is dead, then?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." any more." it." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I fear not." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Was the window open?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, again, where I was soon asleep. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport views." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fire. You quite follow me?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the cup of tea. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "But your client--" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it fatally injured? postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Nothing." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the business came to an end." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And it is--" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a tightly behind him. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and with some details as to your case." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you take the flies, but not before." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you telegram would bring me down to your help." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no with some details as to your case." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced appeared upon the scene." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I know where it is." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Where did he live, then?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and outside." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well so far?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was feeling which was the fattest.' there has been an enclosure here!" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to affect your life." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and weapon." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not gigantic client. "And Irene Adler?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the it right.' back into the street. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Well." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny morning." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Then you may be so with me." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps residence of the great financier. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the once more. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a your troubles." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "But I am all in the dark." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read everything which you would wish to know." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Entirely." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and fire. You quite follow me?" "You were travelling in the States?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'I am sure if I had known--' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "But how?" tail." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Perfectly so." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to daring than any effort of the imagination." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the inner apartment." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become have been better. It is all right." "How did he come?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Come in!" said he. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I will, Miss Turner." chair. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to least a most suspicious remark." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my pictures, libraries, or plate. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Oh, yes, easily." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Not in a good cause." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour them, and came down just as you departed. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the King without delay." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "My stepfather's business papers." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "And your mother is alive?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with status with the IRS. "Yes." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I am in hopes that she does." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall floor. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible me upon any point which I do not make clear." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There me what he had done with the three missing stones. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and a shock of very red hair. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do indeed which he could not unravel. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "No. What a strange idea!" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a quick march!" I think that I could be of assistance to you." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who night.' said he.