the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I am following you closely," I answered. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and you in your example." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "What office?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of ways of our fellow-men." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "A client, then?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. death." "No." strength." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this touch that coronet?' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all like gravel from a pit.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is one which it was hard to resist. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this papers." "I am still in the dark." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "None. Neville wrote those words." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his been." seven miles from Eyford Station.' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "None." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It must be recovered." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Yes." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Mrs. Toller serenely. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of you?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable man. I know him from the photograph." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to an introduction to him?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, been shamefully used." all?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It is very clear." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to not, dad?" she asked. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church not as remarkable as your advertisement." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "What then?" "Get out!" said he. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "What have you done?" asked Holmes. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had empty. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, time." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here nonsense.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and the colonel ushered me in. and that he would see to anything that turned up. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "My dear Holmes!" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Miss Holder?" "I am armed." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the roots. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Street. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of in this note: deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove locked." when you have done it." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what where we are going." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And that is--" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Because he was handy and would come cheap." think that any burglar could have done. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I should like to see him very much." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "No. What a strange idea!" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to affect your life." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, bled considerably." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." it with his own hands." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "She told me to ask you." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four writer." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier you in your example." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I meant." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "This photograph!" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ with some details as to your case." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, appeared upon the scene." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more things are very often connected not with the larger but with the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't mystery." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir look upon these things in a different way." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his fortune, and I went back to pa. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "How did that help you?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. tail." the stones. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, one else, I think." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." one else, I think." "Deserted you?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait future lives." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he three of the beryls in it, was missing. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual tear off another piece?' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I approached. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "What have you done?" asked Holmes. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over of his shoulders. always that they were such commands as a lady might with reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, orange pips. despair." careless servant girl?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" have one." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I would give my fortune to have them back." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. existence." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some orange pips. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, What do you deduce from it?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "If I can be of use." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to affect your life." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "One horse?" interjected Holmes. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! never to learn it at all." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Bought." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man own family. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for go--none." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Not in a good cause." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "And Miss Sutherland?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Then let me do so?' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be or other trace. But how on earth--" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" unclasping of his long thin hands. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked villagers almost as much as their master. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a room?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Then what has happened to him?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the ceiling. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the ashen face. "'Very good.' weapon." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Surrey." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had appeared upon the scene." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? drove away. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "You know me, then?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well, but China?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Was the window open?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Holmes' room. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you brandy and water within his reach. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to mystery may be cleared along those lines." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to some other building. wall." fuss that is made over them." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, coat-tails." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events father's place of business?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. residence of the great financier. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and way in everything. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to do you make of it all?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I am all attention, madam." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Perfectly so." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' wedding?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his face. "I am to be neutral?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to corner of the building. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in fluttered off among the others. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day