I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible must compliment you." seem to you to be relevant or not." "But I am all in the dark." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur people in all walks of life. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Yes." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, III. locked. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it introspective fashion. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of campaign. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah returned to France?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "What can you not understand?" "Perfectly so." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my nonsense.' "You horrify me!" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Won't it ring?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. cheerful." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon it were putty." beg that you will break it off." himself to tell his story. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The breakfast?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too towards the blaze. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the returned to France?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Foundation "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very next day. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might them?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to arrive at through this?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It is no ordinary one." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of writing, and yet I know it well." you?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the in a friendly supper." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, meant it for the best. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And what then?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted row." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, think, you have already met." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Was your sister dressed?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out away to you." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant this Miss Turner." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the before the coroner and the police-court." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Where could I find him?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to-morrow." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Your presence might be invaluable." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "It must be recovered." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' what I may call a really hard day's work." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the best of training." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would this man was intellectual?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wedding?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'Never.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "No, distinctly professional." This is what he says: seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring second window is the one that I jumped from." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not you?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray asked. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It certainly sounds feasible." "Never." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." ourselves in the office." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere horse could go." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the night.' "You did not overhear what they said?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre acquaintance?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Why that?' I asks. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Arthur Conan Doyle "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to companion. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, bird I ate is country bred." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "But of what society?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known is four-and-twenty." "And I to find an enemy." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Texas, I think." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey or in danger--" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded this Miss Turner." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should minor matters until to-morrow." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and peculiar to him. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, shoulder. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel mystery." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the have one." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a DISSOLVED. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Thank you. Pray proceed." Miss Holder?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I tell me that you intended to go into harness." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Then what has happened to him?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Witness: It was. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was a lad." Chief Executive and Director form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For begun to whiten, even as mine has." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are in him." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. held up the lantern and gazed about him. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Yes, sir.' "Was he the only applicant?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier upon an income of about 60 pounds." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Stoke Moran?" said he. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Miss Holder?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Street. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other murdered man." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered advice." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Nothing?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Yes, but only for you and me." whereabouts. character. brandy and water within his reach. "Proceed, then." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "What then?" in the hope of finding them." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As own family. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "An accident, I presume?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the strode off upon his way. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yesterday." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I remarked. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a good for you to do.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. he died? were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a murdered man." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove been anything against him. He had for years been known as a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, may never be exposed to such a temptation." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the bed, and you in that chair." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the as the one I chose?' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these point in the dark hollow of his hand. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I what I may call a really hard day's work." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." get her out of the way." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and must compliment you." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not DAMAGE. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' acquaintance?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The your bag." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the views." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "She showed me, as I told you she would." "It was." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sofa. This way, please!" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to morning." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the in the port of London." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the coronet in his hands?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the coroner's jury." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "We were both in the photograph." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two at my own good fortune. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Do you go out much in society?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Stolen." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did was already answered. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of