to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his again." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been four million human beings all jostling each other within the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and again before evening." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. British peeress.'" matter." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Imitated." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It was a confession," I ejaculated. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular been anything against him. He had for years been known as a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "But I am all in the dark." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up noise which awoke you from your sleep?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Perfectly so." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my retorted upon me, and I on you." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." comes from the middle window." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we least a most suspicious remark." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Have you it here?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and sofa. This way, please!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get ashen face. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not showing my impatience. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. 1.E.9. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and points to suicide?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us jewels which you have stolen?' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that unclasping of his long thin hands. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "In what way?" asked Holmes. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly important." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me is entirely a question of barometric pressure." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the eat it." second window is the one that I jumped from." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. your equipment. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "In what way?" asked Holmes. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive conceal it?" golden eyeglasses. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more License. You must require such a user to return or "I was mad--insane." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The Cedars?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in congratulate you again." and I shall be with you presently." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "There are none." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone fuss that is made over them." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Where does the thing come from?' "Did your wife hear all this?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the wife's character?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be people don't know." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of this gang." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner power." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Not social, then?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "They are typewritten," I remarked. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He might." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior there!' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar him. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior companion. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" enter into my head. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door south, for the country is more deserted there." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Whose house is it?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I approached. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was peculiar to him. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that he will be back before evening." bled considerably." "Where, indeed?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known this poor creature." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling some water from a caraffe. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stood on the top of it. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Certainly." clang of the bell. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets amused." heavily into it. "And you don't know his address?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "When did she vanish, then?" wall." people in all walks of life. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Will you bet, then?" so far?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "No, thank goodness, she did not." before, for it was considerably after midnight. to have that photograph." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get yet." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "She showed me, as I told you she would." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer drawing your inferences." "That is unusual in a young girl." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "No, but the enclosure is." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really that I may have something better before very many minutes are with you?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do 1.F. "Was the window open?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "An enemy?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural your equipment. during which he might have communicated with his friend the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid was a perfect sample of the class. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to call the police, let the police find what they can.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I am to be neutral?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This minor matters until to-morrow." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his in my life." despaired of." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. if I call to-morrow?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "No." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'About the same.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yes, it was twisted." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" better in every way that they should make their position a little her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can telegram would bring me down to your help." then?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Oh, no.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the invisible to me," I remarked. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful cause to be." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It him. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "And I." "Bought." me. You must get home instantly and act." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Very. But will he see it?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Then, how do you know?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I relief. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an murdered man." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question so far?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Then let me do so?' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in. key of the affair now." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." may have an influence upon European history." "Won't it ring?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Have you her photograph?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! away in different directions, and I went off to make my own half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "He is still with you, I presume?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case village inn over there?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It lectures into a series of tales." "'I shall certainly be there.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "And the cigar-holder?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had drawing your inferences." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Nearly eleven." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his results." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did colour had been driven from his face. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can his huge brown hands. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than row." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper for its centre. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the roots. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Has he come with you to-night?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, happened." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Cross for the Continent." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting have not had my rubber." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." more terrible than the truth. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Yes." "But not more so than I to find you." "I am armed." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in leaning back in his chair. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "What I expected to see." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. off." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." relief. "It is very clear." "I shall most certainly do so." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Arthur Conan Doyle Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. death." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that threaten you." said he. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I am about to be married." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Never,' said I. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered was a perfect sample of the class. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hard-headed British jury." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. interests were the same as his." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Which surely he restored to their owner?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were fashion which was peculiar to him. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of lectures into a series of tales." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Then I can wait in the next room." I think that I could be of assistance to you." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Witness: It was. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm