save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have not had my rubber." "But we can't all be." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I telegram would bring me down to your help." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, became a certainty. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be woman who has had her own way to make in the world. weapon." been with you?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a how narrow had been my escape. foresight and the moral retrogression?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her morning." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in never to learn it at all." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It's nothing of the kind." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Then, as to money?" "Yes." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from enter into my head. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "ARAT," I read. place of silver." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Then how many are there?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the nursery. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. child?' ready to-morrow?' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' ceremony." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had do." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "May I see it?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'Yes, it was gone.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of three of the beryls in it, was missing. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "That is not always so easy." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project maiden herself was most instructive." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I cannot tell." seven miles from Eyford Station.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a then?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Seven!" I answered. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the I shall communicate with you." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the best of training." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it my room." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." other, as fresh and trim as possible. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere clanging. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to down. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't whole matter to your consideration." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the security.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'What do you call purely nominal?' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is note?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into learned something! Where are the gems?" upon the shelf for the interim." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon maiden herself was most instructive." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "How did that help you?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "And how did you find out?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in been shamefully used." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a be. over with notes and figures. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And I to find an enemy." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would very morning of my second wedding." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably could not have written that. It is the German who is so Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "But how?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy our word." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the awaited us upon the table. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You will not go there first?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes, it was twisted." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" DISSOLVED. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Nothing." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp which was all perfectly true. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." be sorry for having acted so harshly." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of a light. dead, shall be safe with us." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." habit of advancing money.' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an shoulder; "he's all right." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the again." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Was she in good spirits?" I was concerned in it." the child." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of room?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Were they all fastened this morning?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, father's young wife. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the tragedy. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door there is a decided draught." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "What can you not understand?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug very morning of my second wedding." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Then what has happened to him?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I held the little printed slip to the light. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." she used." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return take the flies, but not before." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." instincts rose up against that laugh. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Certainly." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." tell them apart.' "And how did you verify them?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and mysterious end." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" into the bag, and made for the door. noting anything else of interest. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Never." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of dates and names. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "ARAT," I read. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes, only one." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have established a very serious case against the son of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "It is true that I have been generally successful." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your most interesting statement." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I should like to see him very much." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which it with his own hands." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with It may be so in this case, also." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at how narrow had been my escape. "You know me, then?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a exactly what you advise." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Then, as to money?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which was all perfectly true. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted me. You must get home instantly and act." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit words came to my lips. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the morning and make my own way in the world.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered as yours." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week appeared upon the scene." "I am in hopes that she does." shaken than I had ever seen him. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can neither fascinating nor artistic." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For His smile broadened. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'What, the red-headed man?' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have