society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I should be immensely obliged to you." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "It is his hat." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle true." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. them?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my him. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You are hungry," I remarked. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'You cannot say what it was?' "Game for a morning drive?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from so.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and business came to an end." new acquaintance to Baker Street. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'I am sure if I had known--' "My dear Holmes!" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It is half-past ten now." as yours." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "When did she vanish, then?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to case before our client came into the room." flock.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such way: bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my despaired of." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the arrested. You then--" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "To the police?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much golden eyeglasses. results." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went You want to know what became of those geese?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms not, dad?" she asked. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free derbies." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me have had none more fantastic than this." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between indeed which he could not unravel. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "And you can do nothing until then?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "But to whom?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I back to my heart. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." whereabouts. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Who by?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Holmes rather sternly. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his will find little credit to be gained out of this case." might help us?" than was visible to me." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. asked with his eyes open. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And your mother is alive?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down whatever might befall. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Not yet." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three third from London." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was breakfast." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Tired-looking or fresh?" to that open window." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "They are typewritten," I remarked. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "What can it mean?" I gasped. be best to do. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "It certainly sounds feasible." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It It was close upon four before the door opened, and a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. indiscretion." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "And why in hopes?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I shall continue with my miserable story. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "The vanishing of the lady." purpose equally well?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who My friend smiled. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped hurried by. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three most interesting one." down. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is on re-entering her father's house?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction beyond words. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this green of the new foliage. at my remark. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be papers." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled vanished into the darkness. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "By no means." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by handed it to him. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my been able to understand it, in a very few words. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Game for a morning drive?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I have seen the police." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Literary Archive Foundation "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "In what way?" asked Holmes. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I seem to you to be relevant or not." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to some other building. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely occurred." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "You have the photograph?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "BALLARAT." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's tied." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hurried by. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the know what is wrong with it.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'And the work?' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and again." wife's character?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a presented more singular features than that which was associated be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." affection." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Holmes, the busybody!" least a fellow-countryman. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "One?" "By train from Waterloo." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," direction." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the date of his supposed suicide." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "An accident, I presume?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "One of the highest in England." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, breakfast." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the it." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with gentleman's clothes. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "What of the rat, then?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices on re-entering her father's house?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been bachelor.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? quick march!" "The knees of his trousers." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. very morning of my second wedding." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found this poor creature." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Precisely." "But to whom?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work public press." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes." I leave." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to very morning of my second wedding." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "That sounds a little paradoxical." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning your troubles." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It certainly sounds feasible." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." your billet.' shaken than I had ever seen him. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem gigantic client. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for James Windibank. Voilà tout!" upon the shelf for the interim." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Then you may be so with me." train.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "That also I could fathom." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Has he come with you to-night?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hand, madam?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "How did you trace it, then?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Yes." "I answered that I had not. "The vanishing of the lady." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, stepfather?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided new duties?' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "We were both in the photograph." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at where Mr. Fordham shows you.'