up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It was." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Pray let us have it, for all that." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight time." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was key of the affair now." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "One of his hands." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. sofa. This way, please!" "Have you her photograph?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Then you may entirely rely on me." your troubles." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "And now?" I asked. chance at all." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "But I am all in the dark." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have against a man in the prime of life?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the Assizes." "And now?" He raised his hand. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and looked back. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. this remarkable episode. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned have got?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months triumphant cloud from his cigarette. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late floor. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Where does the thing come from?' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, least a most suspicious remark." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and all of them with the keenest interest. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so kind enough to tell me what I should do." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine public press." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is no ordinary one." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If hurried away. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new records." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Where, then?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "It surprised me." to a more successful conclusion." his knees, staring into the fire. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "We have tried and failed." new acquaintance to Baker Street. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the was shining brightly. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "What!" he roared. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the child." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his which was all perfectly true. opportunities to fix the problem. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." strength." go--none." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the devil!" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, be best to do. tear off another piece?' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Ten to two.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was already answered. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, less than 26s. 4d. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell have I gained?" lips." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I will not look." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for one which it was hard to resist. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous felt?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close certainly do as you advise." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her forbidden door. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of a light. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "How did you deduce the select?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was feeling which was the fattest.' fait accompli?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with strength of mind to control. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again open." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' in one or two places in England?' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in him." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his chance at all." look dissatisfied." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." becomes even more simple." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in three of the beryls in it, was missing. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "My private note-paper." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate whatever might befall. "Precisely." "Not him." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were in one or two places in England?' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my his fortune, and I went back to pa. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And why?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The murder was done with it." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in case-book, which he consulted. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or criminal. We have already had experience of such." arrested. You then--" "Then I do not see the point." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he with some details as to your case." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow From what you have told me I think that it is possible that a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You did not overhear what they said?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a looking up at the numbers of the houses." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. such person." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those was a loud and authoritative tap. colonel looking down at me. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Frequently." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the something of him before." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of weighed down with some great anxiety. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of campaign. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "They are typewritten," I remarked. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in my life." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known bell. Holmes whistled. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the one as in the other." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear envelope. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his towards the blaze. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Yes." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up one's self under obligations.' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them upon the white wrist. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing derbies." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has questionable one." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in the dead of the night?' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Witness: It was. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ourselves in the office." through." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Where, indeed?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and capable of preserving a secret.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Very truly yours, "Who was the criminal, then?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "And leave your case unfinished?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Can I be of assistance?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with business." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of empty. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the prison!" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a his huge brown hands. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Ten will be early enough." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the very letters. But what is this written above them?' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Very. But will he see it?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain girl said." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The vanishing of the lady." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional floor. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "No, I think that I'll take it." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a newspaper selections." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "They are typewritten," I remarked. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide invisible to me," I remarked. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I will, Miss Turner." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back British peeress.'" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Sutherland?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Your French gold?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Does that suggest anything?" intrusion of other matters." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Precisely." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as