business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Which are?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "By no means." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to be. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Yes." Sutherland. village inn over there?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, cigar and let me expound." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Stolen, then." if she died from some sudden fright." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in the hope of finding them." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "We have tried and failed." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, daring than any effort of the imagination." observed. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" retorted upon me, and I on you." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Nothing." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that really the only notable feature about the thing." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was orange pips. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It may not come to that," said Holmes. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Did your wife hear all this?" "Who was the criminal, then?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That is unusual in a young girl." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. spare." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Foundation was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I wanted for ourselves." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I will do it." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a is four-and-twenty." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the less than 26s. 4d. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty papers diligently of late, have you not?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." gone. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very be there in time for your coming." "An enemy?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such note?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And your father? Did you tell him?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes, but only for you and me." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped weapon." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" know all about it," he snarled. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all certainly not very gracious." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took leaning back in his chair. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and becomes even more simple." "When did it break out?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "So I heard. You have him here?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Countess of Morcar's?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It certainly sounds feasible." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No, I am descending." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Have you her photograph?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I beg pardon." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately DISSOLVED. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was placed his cuttings. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' placed his cuttings. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence nice household for a young lady." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered you." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a passage and a tap at the door. Munro.' "I do." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said outbreak?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your assist you in forming an opinion." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the little opening for the ventilator is." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, one of them." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "No." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have roused himself from his reverie. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sparkled upon his finger. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the mysterious end." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. felt the room to be a little close.' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. narrative." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of the vacancies.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at mystery!" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "So I am. Very much so." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' something of him before." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I clang of the bell. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he The police have openly confessed that they can at present make purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible third from London." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Project Gutenberg-tm works. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Quite so. She has her freedom." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "To the police?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, mystery." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this enough to aid us in our search." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the time." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The King of Scandinavia." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. have established a very serious case against the son of the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'Certainly not.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some unprofitable." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "So I am. Very much so." "I was mad--insane." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching gone before you can get him to hospital." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." whatever might befall. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "How many? I don't know." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "To ruin me." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Yes, only one." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been are, and they are waiting for us." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Yes, he did." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "But I am all in the dark." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and the church but not where the lady lived." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; just ask you whether you had heard it.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about she to prove their authenticity?" this as likely?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor kind enough to tell me what I should do." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very once more for Briony Lodge. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a with her." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even there were one or two details which were new to me. But the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Tired-looking or fresh?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have purpose of examination. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I have my revolver," said I. brandy and water within his reach. that there was nothing in it, after all." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of Mr. Rucastle's." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I fear not." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Dr. Gregory B. Newby assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking in one or two places in England?' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "That was it, sir." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly shag which I had seen upon the previous night. be. "Then the page we have seen--" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her to-night's adventure." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And both be extremely obliged.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes." whether it answered to the description of any of their Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I have seen the police." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he away into the river." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Did your wife hear all this?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I do." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'Why that?' I asks. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this