terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "No." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No, I think that I'll take it." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and capable of preserving a secret.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found digesting their breakfasts at home." people in all walks of life. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in one or two places in England?' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out all?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Farm upon the left." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to there!' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Yes, certainly." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On new acquaintance to Baker Street. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same foot. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." retorted upon me, and I on you." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "But your client--" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Yes, sir.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I am about to be married." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "How did that help you?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of the efforts of the United States government and of the better he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "But the mystery?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear following enigmatical notices: His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who strong reason behind." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I will do it." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he official police." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "The knees of his trousers." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on bird I ate is country bred." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried himself. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to introspective fashion. "No legal papers or certificates?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "And how did he make his money?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the coronet in his hands?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Heh?' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at long narrative. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it footfalls from the street. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "This concluded the examination of the witness." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the nights." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." own family. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Which surely he restored to their owner?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "What do you make of that, Watson?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had you." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to beg that you will break it off." answered with a sidelong glance. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me triumphant cloud from his cigarette. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and I shall be with you presently." of campaign. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The do." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the dangers which encompass me." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to details." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must drawing your inferences." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to have been novel and of interest." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my at my remark. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a definite end. "Witness: Nothing definite. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and go back?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached in one or two places in England?' conclusions. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and whole matter to your consideration." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been papers diligently of late, have you not?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'And what are they worth?' I asked. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their mysterious end." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it I nodded to show that I had heard. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of with you?" own family. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It certainly sounds feasible." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. presented more singular features than that which was associated handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "We were both in the photograph." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it introspective fashion. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of handed it to him. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all second." any more." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "A greater distance to travel." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "To the police?" to-night." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of fait accompli?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide case before our client came into the room." in the port of London." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I him!" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "And from a noble client?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, fresh and glossy." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. himself to tell his story. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "BALLARAT." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, man. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second God! What an exposure! What can I do?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with easy-going way." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over as he folded up the epistle. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' dear old homesteads?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you will find little credit to be gained out of this case." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Pray continue your narrative." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I little trying to do so much typewriting?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "My last client of the sort was a king." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And for present expenses?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that man. I know him from the photograph." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself someone who had been in Australia." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is hereditary King of Bohemia." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'A dozen yards or so.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I promise," said Holmes. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. grasp, he hurried from the room. fasten all the windows?" upon a handsome competence. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "That you are never beaten." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "That is not always so easy." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And from a noble client?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I a room. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Yes, sir.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress this unhappy family?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "But what is it you wish?" the coronet at all injured?" "The gentleman I describe." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, kind enough to tell me what I should do." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the affection." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Then, as to money?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." your Highness to the police-station?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my rat could hardly pass through." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with into the bag, and made for the door. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I have hopes." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And for present expenses?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. you." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, her also." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "How about poison?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward,