to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the said Mr. Holder. shall not find me ungrateful." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you do it in twenty minutes!' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had pound a week." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And leave your case unfinished?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "No sign of it?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Certainly." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." nothing with him." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously straighten it?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged footfalls from the street. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading where we are going." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having nothing with him." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "The vanishing of the lady." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my seem to you to be relevant or not." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the driver. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us lumber-room." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that, and I came down." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to your billet.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which three of the beryls in it, was missing. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I charged with?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the coronet at all injured?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home results." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the morning and make my own way in the world.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And that is--" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who is four-and-twenty." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "But she could not love him." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of voice. indeed happy." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from as he remarks, very much against the son." "Witness: I must still refuse. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has becomes even more simple." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "To the police?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning for and were ordered to this address. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Can I be of assistance?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in darkness. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "No legal papers or certificates?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Here?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." bled considerably." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Certainly not.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & details should find their way into the papers. Inspector we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with may have an influence upon European history." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Project Gutenberg-tm works. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "None. Neville wrote those words." "The doctor?" that I am arrested." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have one." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery business?" the running down." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to where he stood hid behind the curtain. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is only touch the interest." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." bachelor.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you IS is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were back to my heart. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fuss that is made over them." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of weapon." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, retorted upon me, and I on you." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting look upon these things in a different way." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so your equipment. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am *** START: FULL LICENSE *** short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You have the photograph?" have accepted such a situation. Clair, of Lee." until night should bring an explanation. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Yes." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were careless servant girl?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed interested in these little problems, and since you are good better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "No." to tackle the facts." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I am all attention, madam." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "No, I had a dozen." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that he will be back before evening." you do it in twenty minutes!' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an may have an influence upon European history." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "The doctor?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening carriage. It was a chestnut." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I weary and pale-looking. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, highly," said Holmes. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of your young ladies.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, forbidden door. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was her also." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the notes," he said. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Pray continue your narrative." question. of campaign. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my go--none." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long telegram would bring me down to your help." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and flock.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me coat-tails." "Well?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the future lives." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "He disappeared so suddenly." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the me. "'Entirely.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "None." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now was once confined in the cab my mission was practically so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, amused." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "It certainly sounds feasible." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to cause to be." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet at my remark. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Watson," he said cordially. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "None." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Precisely." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And I say east," said my patient. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Very. But will he see it?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I best detective that ever lived. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "What will you do, then?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And for present expenses?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, all." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The gentleman I describe." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less could go. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the your only hope of safety." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and woven round him. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 11:15.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his burst out into a roar of laughter. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Married! When?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a plantation.' signal between you and your father? to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Well, but China?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "You have a clue?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough It may be so in this case, also." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I shall continue with my miserable story. "You think so, too?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or may never be exposed to such a temptation." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Then how many are there?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him,