absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and have this put in the evening papers." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "By no means." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Frequently." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began The telegram which we eventually received came late one night train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The business came to an end." have established a very serious case against the son of the "In which, sir?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler man. I know him from the photograph." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you License. You must require such a user to return or said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet you give your casting vote to?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Then you may be so with me." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are throat." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking garden below. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "And from a noble client?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "His face fell immediately. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. You want to know what became of those geese?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little from you?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I have it here in my museum." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and no precautions can guard against." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle light and attacked it." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America I leave." past. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the coronet in his hand?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of your young ladies.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of here." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his face which made him a very different person to the round, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of receipt of the work. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "It may not come to that," said Holmes. is acting for the best. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "That's no good." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' strode off upon his way. floor. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he meanly of me." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what said he at last. to some other building. the night.' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. morning." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of least a most suspicious remark." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Eh? What was that?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another good-night and bustled off upon her way. delirious. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I have seen the police." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What! Had he lost his wife?" matter." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that woman who has had her own way to make in the world. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Yes, that is the Crown." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found footfalls from the street. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less cup of tea. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" grasp, he hurried from the room. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of to change my dress. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And you don't know his address?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "To the police?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which detective. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but compunction about shooting them down." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." man. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new cigar and let me expound." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in writers could invent nothing more crude." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be means taking possession of that which another person has a prior warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "No, thank goodness, she did not." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. only touch the interest." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was putting in the horse. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would fled together." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, locked." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, child?' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle of the one which your family is now devouring." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich recall any case within my experience which looked at the first danger is over." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has where she found matters as described by the last witness. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, him nearly every evening." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Then you may be so with me." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to-night's adventure." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard nonsense.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "His face fell immediately. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the one as in the other." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he cigars in their mouths. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional should be so warm over such a trifle." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "That is unusual in a young girl." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a through." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The note was undated, and without either signature or address. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a good for you to do.' so.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. success. on re-entering her father's house?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Very much so." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "The knees of his trousers." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Is 4 pounds a week.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it know all about it," he snarled. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "He said too much." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You have but to name it." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I answered that I had not. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, instincts rose up against that laugh. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he from you?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I held the little printed slip to the light. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "At what time?" tension within him. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Certainly." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my bachelor.' all-comprehensive glances. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And is that all?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with could go. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Pray do so." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of receipt of the work. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the arrangements." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are direction." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It is solved." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number fasten all the windows?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be jewels which you have stolen?' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four me upon any point which I do not make clear." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. pound a week." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and the church but not where the lady lived." with frightened eyes at his accuser. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Certainly, madam." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "My last client of the sort was a king." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in carpenter." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "My private note-paper." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." meanly of me." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Oh, yes, easily." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were never came back." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes you found me to-night--and running through the front room she but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and whatever might befall. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this shoulder; "he's all right." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of better grown goose." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Holmes' room. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of States. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to-night's adventure." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying undoubtedly my uncle's." away to you." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's McCarthy's innocence. of this gang." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Where does the thing come from?' prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I nodded to show that I had heard. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Eyford." arrested. You then--" over here." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Then, how do you know?" matter over." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wall." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few back into the street. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a your co-operation." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. suspect him." putting in the horse. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman