when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And you thought he was pulled back?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you photograph a cabinet?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, McCarthy's innocence. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily strong and stiff." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "This photograph!" "Yes." "Dirty?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to have been novel and of interest." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Yesterday." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and a shock of very red hair. if only as a check to my own memory." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been detective. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it your room." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I think it very unlikely." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by orange pips. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the congenial hunt. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a too. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Which are?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "In what way?" asked Holmes. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary will be renamed. "And help." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at all?" and no precautions can guard against." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "The Coroner: What do you mean? There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "One of his hands." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" at my own good fortune. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "When did it break out?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by States. or in danger--" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Then I do not see the point." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had into the room. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Certainly." "It missed him, then?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Really! You surprise me." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Pray continue your narrative." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of him and tried to hold him back. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Won't it ring?" fait accompli?" direction." noble correspondent could be. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his License. You must require such a user to return or him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us in darkness. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the have not had my rubber." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It is very clear." all that?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Is he quiet?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may to affect your life." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the in his hands." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Who was the criminal, then?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small way in." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Where is it, then?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled not interfere, come what may. You understand?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It must be recovered." the station." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for someone who had been in Australia." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at a room. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, said he. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled someone who had been in Australia." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as bell. Holmes whistled. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my system of imprisonment?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that, and I came down." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his knees, staring into the fire. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "How do you know, then?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." light and attacked it." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It is half-past ten now." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Eyford." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the general public were present, then?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, events, Mr. Windibank!" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've became a certainty. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a happened." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that it. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a never to learn it at all." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor problems help me to do so." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It's nothing of the kind." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. entirely devoid of interest." a good hundred miles off by now." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this not use it unless it is absolutely needed." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is you, my dear young lady?' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "But it has twice been burgled." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I papers must be those that are destroyed.' weighed down with some great anxiety. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "No, but the enclosure is." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Yes, he did." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start brain must have something in it." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then I am your man." trying to your nerves." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual fishes. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then narrative." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Game for a morning drive?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able outside. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "But how could you guess what the motive was?" maid will bring up your coffee." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Not in a good cause." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and an introduction to him?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Who was the criminal, then?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Certainly." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes, from Horsham." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It missed him, then?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I remarked. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying knowledge of the world." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really you understand?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." already referred to. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him answered with a sidelong glance. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a society." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and other, as fresh and trim as possible. several quiet little villages up there." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked woman." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." way in everything. note?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this this as likely?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the man. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when call for protection in the marriage market, for the present as he folded up the epistle. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. meanly of me." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, You want to know what became of those geese?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Of what day?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Could he throw no light?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to tell." developed." ready to-morrow?' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right get the tickets." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." best detective that ever lived. congratulate you again." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the his face which made him a very different person to the round, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when