the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, crime. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "By all means." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Then the page we have seen--" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer beg that you will break it off." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He copied or distributed: Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as nonsense.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Get out!" said he. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of interested in these little problems, and since you are good and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us congenial hunt. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. politicians who had been sent down from the North. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." horse could go." allusion to a rat. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I cannot tell." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned were new raised from a basin. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door records." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you points to suicide?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger bird of prey. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Certainly, madam." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And the cigar-holder?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you been shamefully used." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else pity, because in other respects you would really have done very highroad, where all traces were lost. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "And Irene Adler?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and your relations to her." "But it has twice been burgled." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But she could not love him." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck man. I know him from the photograph." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the chair. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Then let me do so?' attention." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Nothing?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and the colonel ushered me in. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'It is locked up,' I answered. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the eat it." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I just called myself is not exactly my own." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You have but to name it." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in McCarthy's innocence. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line emerged. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Really! You surprise me." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the devil!" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position troubles have been weighing upon his mind. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and dates and names. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average get her out of the way." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'I shall certainly be there.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gone. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my a few minutes he said that it would be all right. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the what is your own theory as to what took place?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is one of them." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again away to you." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I have my revolver," said I. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. affection." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'There is a drive, then?' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "And now?" I asked. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide III. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Can I be of assistance?" my former friend and companion. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "They are typewritten," I remarked. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "What shall I do?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Where did you address your letters, then?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Pray let us have it, for all that." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "How did that help you?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot third from London." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King appeal." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for you understand?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the one of them." passage and a tap at the door. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came feature." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a friends, not even his own brother. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Then I am your man." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should pierced for earrings?" it means?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." the address that was given us in the advertisement. arrangements." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Murdered?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. my friend's incisive reasoning. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I cannot tell." matter." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hurried by. it." all-comprehensive glances. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss gone. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & My friend smiled. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the morning and make my own way in the world.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'No, I know no one in these parts.' photograph?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and it need not interfere very much with one's other yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, fire. You quite follow me?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was it." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich purpose equally well?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it all-comprehensive glances. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide tear off another piece?' amused." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "What?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "She will not sell." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. him. served to weaken the effect. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "No?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'Never,' said I. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain drove away. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Tell me all about it,' said I. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel man. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I forebodings. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen discontent upon his features. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "So it appears." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions that I am arrested." "Then what has happened to him?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead not come at once?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "What?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we it were putty." wedding?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand learned something! Where are the gems?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came shoulder; "he's all right." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that client, rising. questioning and rather startled gaze. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Where, indeed?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is this remarkable episode. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture some water from a caraffe. way in." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "And the cigar-holder?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. manager. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, lamp. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "He is dead," cried several voices. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes, at the mines." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Very murderous indeed." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Pope's Court. "No, I had a dozen." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case prisoner's face. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt your own bird, so if you wish--" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You forget that I know nothing about it." me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be frequently gained my first real insight into the character of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided awaited us upon the table. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "And now?" I asked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Ah!" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white future lives." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Texas, I think." "I assure you that I am in your hands." for and were ordered to this address.