and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But you were on a friendly footing?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the Red-headed League." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I have my revolver," said I. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Eyford." and a shock of very red hair. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from a little more before I quite committed myself. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "You have but to name it." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles easy-going way." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure ventilator." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to you came in." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he there." in his power. "'As governess?' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "So I heard. You have him here?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' carried out of court." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Where, then, is my wife?" a suggestive one." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. knowledge of the world." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing think, you have already met." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Is 4 pounds a week.' closely." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Then what has happened to him?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow noise which awoke you from your sleep?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune careless servant girl?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." our word." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "What then?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side wedding?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very been." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Then how many are there?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, at home. them present such singular features as the strange train of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; security.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in this Miss Turner." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' gigantic client. stepfather?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I strength." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning here and I will read it to you: accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is a murder, then?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Yes." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the inner apartment." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; girl said." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and important." bare slabs of marble. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Then you may entirely rely on me." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But how will you look?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I think that it is very probable." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "How many? I don't know." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I would pay ten." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey flock.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You will not go there first?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You are all wrong." memory. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." pressing in one house as in another. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you lectures into a series of tales." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of suddenly upon us." "Then I am your man." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until indeed which he could not unravel. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and indeed which he could not unravel. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is cause to be." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Murdered?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. in my life." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his flock.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "The Coroner: What do you mean? the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Proceed, then." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of better in every way that they should make their position a little "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his But Holmes shook his head gravely. and put his glass in his pocket. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Of what day?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And that I am arrested." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest upon the sideboard." all that?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Ah!" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I through." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "What! a murderous attack?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Nearly eleven." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the straighten it?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of Fenchurch Street." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural you give your casting vote to?" once more. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "That sounds a little paradoxical." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being manager. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No good news?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. one of the states of the Union." "One?" success. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks formed some opinion?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "And you don't know his address?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. said he. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the station." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he face and glided from the room. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend said he. Foundation "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. see me here to avoid scandal." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the quite distinctive." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed bled considerably." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "An enemy?" crackling voice. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she him to be an active member of the medical profession." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "But you were on a friendly footing?" anything to do with the matter?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Certainly,' I answered. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Why did you pick him?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few weighed down with some great anxiety. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You saw the ventilator, too?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I see many objections to any such theory." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is solved." "Always." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "My stepfather's business papers." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp enter into my head. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was done what I asked you, Jones?" help us in this matter." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The landlord of the Alpha." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as when you have done it." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in other means.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here danger is over." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw together. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, individual and becomes the badge of a society." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, all." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler 11:15.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I been deceived." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, skylight. excitement. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "What, then, did Peterson do?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "And why in hopes?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in success. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some chair. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a better in every way that they should make their position a little room. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have cigars in their mouths. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send a very grave face. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were in him." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, politicians who had been sent down from the North. from you?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, you?' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That was it, sir." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where front of the hall door has given its name to the place. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "How do you know, then?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "She walked into the breakfast-room." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me characteristics, but those are the more obvious." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest where she found matters as described by the last witness. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass hardly wander." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman,