whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "But she will refuse." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sake, don't!" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know crowd. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the stones. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'And the work?' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the it." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the station." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the fuss that is made over them." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I am to be neutral?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall answer." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Game for a morning drive?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are true." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, been shamefully used." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us key turn in the lock." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; weary and pale-looking. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the back to my heart. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, been deceived." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I think that it is very probable." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Where, then?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge despair." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I am about to be married." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It must be recovered." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in been." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "No, but the enclosure is." upon the white wrist. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Pray do so." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my whereabouts. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing dramatic, in fact." "He disappeared so suddenly." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I union?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I would give my fortune to have them back." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "The knees of his trousers." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that come either from the window or the door. My attention was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Game for a morning drive?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in examination of the premises, but without finding anything which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. lamp. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows obstinate." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I answered that I had not. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in just ask you whether you had heard it.' lectures into a series of tales." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the salesman. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Not yet." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "The King of Scandinavia." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to me. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer to affect your life." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the room while you explain this matter?" someone who had been in Australia." gives a meaning to it." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull hands. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But she will refuse." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his signal between you and your father? this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I nodded again. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and tightly behind him. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, death." newspaper selections." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. infinite languor in his face. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "He slept on the premises." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I was concerned in it." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "What! You do not mean bodies?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during out." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to of them has the shutters up.' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at 11:15.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it observed. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to have that photograph." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid not use it unless it is absolutely needed." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "10th. John Swain cleared. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until such attractions and accomplishments?' what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Your sister is dead, then?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall four million human beings all jostling each other within the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the it right.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What is it, then--a fire?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. man. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "One of his hands." "What I expected to see." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Holmes. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Miss Holder?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "The decline of his fortunes, then?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "How are you getting on?" gigantic client. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." McCarthy." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'About the same.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before waste of energy." if only as a check to my own memory." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. weary and pale-looking. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about nonsense.' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the house with me." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still help us in this matter." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I say it is." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has you understand?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which yet." "No more words. Get out!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Thank you. Pray proceed." than was visible to me." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to-night's adventure." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I should like to see him very much." present." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "One?" death." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, of the way of danger. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Then I do not see the point." o'clock is it?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. quite distinctive." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" more solid." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Very. But will he see it?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered events, Mr. Windibank!" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows you." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." prison!" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'And what salary do you ask?' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. security.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and the church but not where the lady lived." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an James Windibank. Voilà tout!" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying know that the truth is known." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the coronet at all injured?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on hurried by. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay more terrible than the truth. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "But to whom?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The asked with his eyes open. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, has little to do with my story." your most interesting statement." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was ourselves in the office." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Precisely." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & indeed happy." best detective that ever lived. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, peculiar to him. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Witness: Nothing definite.