Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That is easily got." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "But I am all in the dark." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after better grown goose." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and shoulder. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, character. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and a shock of very red hair. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I note?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Murdered?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but 11:15.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and capable of preserving a secret.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I taking in every detail of the apartment. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this really the only notable feature about the thing." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a used to be." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' assist you in forming an opinion." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "But I have heard all that you have heard." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan approach us with offers to donate. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It is true that I have been generally successful." will not take me long to tell. joking. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I present." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll death." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "And I." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this his fortune, and I went back to pa. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the keep the flames under. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And the cigar-holder?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence has little to do with my story." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "My stepfather's business papers." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark carriage. It was a chestnut." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if stood on the top of it. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous ceremony." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this weighed down with some great anxiety. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ready to-morrow?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, not come at once?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "On Monday." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to during that time.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Very. But will he see it?" "I cannot imagine." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now in him." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the next day. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well you do it in twenty minutes!' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, will not take me long to tell. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide have I gained?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a your room." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible photograph?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely once more. nothing with him." chemical work which was so dear to him. "No sign of it?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the were new raised from a basin. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than in. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you at my own good fortune. but preventing her from injuring another. "Perfectly so." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not absorbing." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "In which, sir?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "How can you tell that?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Watson," he said cordially. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the purpose equally well?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan heavily into it. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive sparkled upon his finger. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, good for you to do.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your had no one to advise her at such a crisis." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered narrative." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You which was all perfectly true. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left lips." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I nodded again. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "My Mary? Impossible!" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." despaired of." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do late!' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Witness: It was. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." room?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. prison!" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Arthur Conan Doyle knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ready to-morrow?' "Perhaps I have." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Holmes' thin, eager face. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in depend upon my doing so.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "A call for help, you thought?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. hardly wander." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I was concerned in it." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, could go. "At what time?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in status with the IRS. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he then?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always opened a pocket-book and took out a note. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "But how?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and works. See paragraph 1.E below. in the hope of finding them." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is union?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, which we had just quitted. "The knees of his trousers." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It is true that I have been generally successful." the bottom.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third possible that we could bring him back to her? "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Then the page we have seen--" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "A thing like a cleaver," said he. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Holmes, the busybody!" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he empty. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is there!' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to-morrow." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had an introduction to him?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and his eyes and forehead. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have him. "That also I could fathom." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out outbreak?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with here and I will read it to you: comes from the middle window." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Precisely." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." compunction about shooting them down." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the companion imperturbably. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, morning." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. nonsense.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric tear off another piece?' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came into her hand at the door and which lured her within their idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hurried by. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity It may be so in this case, also." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy were wasted." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a he. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love companion quietly. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and glanced through. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker that I may have something better before very many minutes are purpose of examination. affair. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during