"Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' during that time.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the warnings." o'clock is it?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of in my life." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What is it?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their your equipment. "'Ten to two.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "What! You do not mean bodies?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a conceal it?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless for its centre. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing weighed down with some great anxiety. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, matter." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with if I call to-morrow?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes tear off another piece?' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would humiliation." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It missed him, then?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "My dear Holmes!" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I have come for advice." generous with you in money matters.' Pope's Court. stammered. "So I have heard." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations or other trace. But how on earth--" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send shall not find me ungrateful." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ourselves in the office." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "He is dead," cried several voices. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "And leave your case unfinished?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Of what day?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a discontent upon his features. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who get the tickets." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" words came to my lips. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. one of the states of the Union." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my once more for Briony Lodge. "Certainly." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." any more." McCarthy's innocence. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'Oh, no.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, address. "The Cedars?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "How did he come?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said seem to you to be relevant or not." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "No, finished." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "The landlord of the Alpha." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who house for five minutes.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, respectable self." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Never." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." I have it here in my museum." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Eh? What was that?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me assist you in forming an opinion." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his business." directors, with the result that you have seen." unclasping of his long thin hands. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, see me here to avoid scandal." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. business came to an end." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "And on what day did he meet his death?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Holmes rather sternly. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to go into your room and bar your shutters?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the warnings." as he folded up the epistle. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to arrive at through this?" "Then you may be so with me." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "That was it, sir." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a better in every way that they should make their position a little "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have had none more fantastic than this." "'Yes, sir.' are, and they are waiting for us." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "So I am. Very much so." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number respectable self." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He disappeared so suddenly." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I photograph a cabinet?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. just called myself is not exactly my own." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "At what time?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Come in!" said he. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come quick march!" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Can I be of assistance?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "That is unusual in a young girl." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Heh?' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar chair. shoulder. you." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I putting in the horse. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "No." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "How often?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. bachelor.' them?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed lamp. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards copied or distributed: "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, helping a boy to put up the shutters. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to will be renamed. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'A dozen yards or so.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily man. I know him from the photograph." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more good for you to do.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out hard-headed British jury." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "When did she vanish, then?" "I am to be neutral?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. all?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Certainly." crime. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and sneer upon his pale face. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was I shall communicate with you." bonnet, and went out." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "And it is--" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "No." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." forebodings. gone before you can get him to hospital." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face considering the formidable letters which were received by himself age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Sutherland?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the passage and a tap at the door. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the most interesting one." whether it answered to the description of any of their brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Yes, it was gone.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Certainly, madam." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Come in!" said Holmes. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Entirely." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Imitated." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" man. I know him from the photograph." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." cause to be." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond was the fact that his father should, according to his account, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as he remarks, very much against the son." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I shall communicate with you." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the obstinate." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, yourselves in at night?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "About a month then." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of vault. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, What do you deduce from it?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you taking in every detail of the apartment. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps me, and I could not think that his explanation of the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Certainly." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Were they all fastened this morning?" http://www.gutenberg.net that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and capable of preserving a secret.' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I do." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing train from Paddington which would bring you there at about action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. is worth.' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked speckled band?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and I shall be with you presently." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in wanted for ourselves." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "They are typewritten," I remarked. been with you?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, closely." was not a bird to be seen there.