Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that, and I came down." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And how have you succeeded?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It looks newer than the other things?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like acquaintance?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Yes." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I fasten all the windows?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he laugh and put his lips to my ear. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "He said that you could solve anything." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence leaning back in his chair. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You horrify me!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a stepfather?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the gigantic client. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear maiden herself was most instructive." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Has he come with you to-night?" mysterious business." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian next day. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." was shining brightly. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Certainly not.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine rat could hardly pass through." which are rolled in Rotterdam." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes round with crates and massive boxes. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, maid will bring up your coffee." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the you want, then?' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "No." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Ten will be early enough." footfalls from the street. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "How did that help you?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. trifles." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few conceal it?" "Then you may be so with me." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" must be when I saw the door open.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Surrey." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the coronet in his hand?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was keenly on my guard against him. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Were they all fastened this morning?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You observed. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Precisely." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "In the cells." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, beyond words. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or becomes even more simple." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud would apply.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wall." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. call it cruel." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have at once, for I have only half an hour." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lost nothing by them." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a hour." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Where to?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging DISSOLVED. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'What then?' I asked. "None." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not swore that no one else had been in the front room during the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no definite end. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "A call for help, you thought?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted simple cases which are so extremely difficult." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat putting in the horse. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a leaning back in his chair. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I am armed." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which was keenly on my guard against him. page at http://pglaf.org I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an present strange and interesting features that it is no easy From what you have told me I think that it is possible that With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes records." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'Quite sure, dad.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were yet." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is second." fluttered off among the others. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, McCarthy's innocence. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it over here." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and business?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "About a month then." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and I shall be with you presently." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the Red-headed League." "'I have already given you my word.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in young Openshaw's." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "He is dead," cried several voices. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to have that photograph." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found photograph a cabinet?" most interesting one." "And you thought he was pulled back?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, on re-entering her father's house?" "But how?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I beg pardon." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." knowledge of the world." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that works. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Yes." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a that I am arrested." evidence," I remarked. someone who had been in Australia." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It is true that I have been generally successful." you?" cheerful." nonsense.' so far?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or definite end. where she found matters as described by the last witness. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working newspaper selections." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been used to be." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found his huge brown hands. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and closing the door. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "His face fell immediately. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open night.' said he. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled her also." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as During two years I have had three consultations and one small memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that useful material for showing traces. The double line a little are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until likely to be some crony of the landlady's." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and floor. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "This photograph!" carried out of court." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be his wife has ceased to love him." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Was he the only applicant?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "What then?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let must be when I saw the door open.' the station." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the to-night." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, plantation.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached a good hundred miles off by now." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It is half-past ten now." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to astonishment. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my former friend and companion. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely about. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I think you a quite exceptional woman." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Never." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Literary Archive Foundation "No." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not character. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the any more." in this note: corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Not social, then?" some city in a dream. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Most admirably.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is a murder, then?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." John Swain, of St. Augustine. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Not I." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But she could not love him." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution bell. Holmes whistled. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in he died? It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You horrify me!" and capable of preserving a secret.' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come bearing upon the case." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the main points of my analysis." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where