heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held intrusion of other matters." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many gone. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to families. Now for the facts. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. stood on the top of it. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Dirty?" unkempt, staring out at me. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And sit in the dark?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind likely to be some crony of the landlady's." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And Miss Sutherland?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not all-comprehensive glances. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door neither fascinating nor artistic." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" to you." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up very morning of my second wedding." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its as yours." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A roused himself from his reverie. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his you, my dear young lady?' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "No good news?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too important." the house with me." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, sneer upon his pale face. yet." "Then what has happened to him?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And I." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes, sir." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I was afraid that you were engaged." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself cigar and let me expound." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon train from Paddington which would bring you there at about them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land anything to a woman, for she would have her way." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. went to the Alpha were town bred." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which spark where all is dark to me." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of You can understand that this register and diary may implicate shaken than I had ever seen him. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he your only hope of safety." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the should be taken.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes, all." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest anything to do with the matter?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of few hundred pounds.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Breckinridge is his name." and have this put in the evening papers." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "And that is--" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is through." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon off." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. touch that coronet?' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. ago." Serpentine Avenue. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "That sounds a little paradoxical." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. off." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close front of me. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, lost nothing by them." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Holmes rather sternly. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And you thought he was pulled back?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "How did he come?" least a most suspicious remark." http://gutenberg.net/license). astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main habit of advancing money.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He bachelor.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most do.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing such attractions and accomplishments?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was more terrible than the truth. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must one or two very singular points about this room. For example, in this note: aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Ah, but I was recommended to you." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "How about poison?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the morning and make my own way in the world.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Was the window open?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of said he. "In which, sir?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less entirely lost his self-respect." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the night.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off answer." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I am following you closely," I answered. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with she used." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I promise," said Holmes. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me certainly do as you advise." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "BALLARAT." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we speckled band?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Yes.' "And what did you see?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" clanging. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. over with notes and figures. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of his shoulders. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation character. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "No." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as as he folded up the epistle. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "He is dead," cried several voices. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and have this put in the evening papers." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Absolutely none." rooms." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." learned something! Where are the gems?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained British peeress.'" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman works. See paragraph 1.E below. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." crime." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I will not look." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. amused." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the outside." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty golden eyeglasses. golden eyeglasses. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Oh, fresh and glossy." was keenly on my guard against him. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is true that I have been generally successful." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking narrative." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "The Coroner: What do you mean? initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up II. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be American. Then who could this American be, and why should he hopeless attempt at recovering them." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lost his Christmas dinner." in his power. questionable one." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their any little problem which you may submit to me." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall upon the shelf for the interim." Miss Holder?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the devil!" handed it to him. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still one else, I think." green of the new foliage. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cigars in the box." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the trying to your nerves." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 'please.'" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had is now desirous of getting those letters back." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Witness: It was. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "He might." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was shining brightly. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, noting anything else of interest. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a crackling voice. father's place of business?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Eyford." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are hard-headed British jury." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to at my remark. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, writing, and yet I know it well." Sutherland. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded through." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you vault. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "But we can't all be." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went brandy and water within his reach. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, business." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Not I." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me