"But how will you look?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of that threaten you." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, indiscretion." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Perfectly so." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note visitors." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed appointment with me for six o'clock?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "How did you trace it, then?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Do you go out much in society?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you green of the new foliage. "Absolutely?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Entirely." "Very much so." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the best of training." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It must be recovered." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would our word." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his one else, I think." "Just look it up, then." lips." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in coat-tails." brandy and water within his reach. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "What?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger questioning and rather startled gaze. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Certainly, madam." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal upon the shelf for the interim." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling business in the City. She little knew what. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in will not take me long to tell. of a light. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But I have heard all that you have heard." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Then let me do so?' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Countess of Morcar's?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would morning." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No legal papers or certificates?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, politicians who had been sent down from the North. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "But his lameness?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside presume?" was already answered. strength of mind to control. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then nonsense.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take he. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I nodded again. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner be.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Have you it here?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "In San Francisco, a year ago." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "An accident, I presume?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been threw himself down with his face to the pillow. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, would then never go into court at all." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son gone. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Have you it here?" touch that coronet?' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" article?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Yes.' humiliation." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to talk it over. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at constraint." mystery." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I am sure." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Arthur Conan Doyle "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all certainly not very gracious." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Then let me do so?' deduce something from that?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "The vanishing of the lady." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the salesman. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I about. time." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What!" he roared. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then paper in the air. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would occurred." nothing of it?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those criminal. We have already had experience of such." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a mysterious business." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a noble correspondent could be. of receipt of the work. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his tension within him. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'In my own bureau.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured maiden herself was most instructive." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular all?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very you." "There is the writing." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to a good hundred miles off by now." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" you in yours." peculiar to him. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his down in his armchair and closing his eyes. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The best possible." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But you would not advise me to refuse?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can over with notes and figures. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is as the one I chose?' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. in his power. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "He slept on the premises." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have had none more fantastic than this." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and child?' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Entirely.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to interest. They are important, you understand, without being "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah in. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the States. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Have you good authority for what you say?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' success. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, people in all walks of life. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me get her out of the way." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." carpenter." "He said that you could solve anything." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Nearly eleven." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I rooms." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "But to whom?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window all?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I shall continue with my miserable story. this Miss Turner." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "What?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel at a side door. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and pound a week." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Holmes rather sternly. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was over part of the map. "What do you read?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on mystery!" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to talk it over. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it minor matters until to-morrow." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "And when will you call?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You have carte blanche." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So roused himself from his reverie. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in correct than the official force." him to go away.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the were unconscious?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "And I." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" tear off another piece?' writer." "But she will refuse." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Of Friday, June 19th." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any records." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Have you good authority for what you say?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De that threaten you." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Yes." the running down." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "ARAT," I read. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front annoyance, but no jest. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "What then?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You have a clue?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy