carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It is very clear." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now God! What an exposure! What can I do?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing stood on the top of it. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded not come at once?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, October 9, 1890. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE pierced for earrings?" appeared upon the scene." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with prisoner's face. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might McCarthy's innocence. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I would pay ten." "Here?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor them?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it from the brougham. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "You have a clue?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "My Mary? Impossible!" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He said that you could solve anything." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It's nothing of the kind." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "How many? I don't know." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little interested in these little problems, and since you are good in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in and capable of preserving a secret.' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman most interesting one." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and mystery." "That is it on the dressing-table." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and highly," said Holmes. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless it." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Bought." "He said that you could solve anything." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying comes from the middle window." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "No, my brougham is waiting." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, chamber." "It is a murder, then?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact side. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an fasten all the windows?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "But how?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the Red-headed League." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking business?" "Certainly." woven round him. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Why did you beat the pavement?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "But what is it you wish?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the inquest, and which are worth considering." "You saw the ventilator, too?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the away to you." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his case before our client came into the room." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was man. I know him from the photograph." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of himself to tell his story. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at highroad, where all traces were lost. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the ourselves in the office." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. served to weaken the effect. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "That's no good." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making least a fellow-countryman. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like knowledge of the world." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still thin legs towards the fire. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. man. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I am all attention, madam." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in someone who had been in Australia." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" to me. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of receipt of the work. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "That is it on the dressing-table." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, whereabouts. the general public were present, then?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "About a month then." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of door?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the whether it answered to the description of any of their and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. questioning and rather startled gaze. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Always." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. 'please.'" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." congratulate you again." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Literary Archive Foundation "You horrify me." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "And for present expenses?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. little trying to do so much typewriting?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." himself to tell his story. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, I have one waiting." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "On the contrary, this is the right side." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors man. I know him from the photograph." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door into the room. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Then let me do so?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the coronet at all injured?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Farm upon the left." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary your Highness to the police-station?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached highroad, where all traces were lost. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his forehead." "You have a clue?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It is very kind of you." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without peculiar to him. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "What will you say?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "There are none." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Well, it is a possible supposition." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of any little problem which you may submit to me." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I say that I have solved it." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the inner apartment." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the gone. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in it." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name into the room. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I lips." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was already answered. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not respectable self." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed father's young wife. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "We were both in the photograph." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Yes, sir." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of away into the river." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as The summons was a brief and urgent one. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." existence." mystery." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about have one." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." crowd. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and I shall be with you presently." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Young McCarthy must be got off, however." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and acted in my house last night?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, upon the sideboard." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. already referred to. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been one of them." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, case-book, which he consulted. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to that there was nothing in it, after all." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was is so. I know all about McCarthy." business." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was business came to an end." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There must be when I saw the door open.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "9th. McCauley cleared. hands. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and looked back. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an her also." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the roots. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Married! When?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "And it is--" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my