hand, madam?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the south-west, I see." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was four million human beings all jostling each other within the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." answered with a sidelong glance. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened rat could hardly pass through." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for been." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and someone who had been in Australia." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after have established a very serious case against the son of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer felt the room to be a little close.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Could he throw no light?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Yes, all." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; correct than the official force." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Dark enough and sinister enough." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage families. Now for the facts. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" works. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Was your sister dressed?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant dramatic, in fact." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any photograph?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her weapon." what do you think they found in the pockets?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that upon the sideboard." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "We must have a cab." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any as he remarks, very much against the son." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Stolen." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's like that before?" lamp. would apply.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "But he might be a bachelor." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is married her." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined carriage. It was a chestnut." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was feeling which was the fattest.' I have it here in my museum." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of campaign. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "And I to find an enemy." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "At what time?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Yes." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which not interfere, come what may. You understand?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one threw himself down with his face to the pillow. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It missed him, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the orange pips. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "How can you tell that?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I cannot tell." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I promise," said Holmes. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no was the fact that his father should, according to his account, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some vanished into the darkness. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in this way: of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, developed." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and I shall be with you presently." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present gone. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice appeal." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when little trying to do so much typewriting?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, young Openshaw's." rose-bushes. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into business." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It must be recovered." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and the whole place is in a blaze." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in will he say when he returns?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'I have already given you my word.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The King stared at him in amazement. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor be best to do. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he yet." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I leave." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to affect your life." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the coronet in his hands?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There British peeress.'" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from fatally injured? for and were ordered to this address. "This concluded the examination of the witness." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I was mad--insane." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I she to prove their authenticity?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not these bleak autumnal evenings." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "It is no ordinary one." remarked. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Was she in good spirits?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went six. Come in!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Certainly not. But why?' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You are all wrong." "Well, it is a possible supposition." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a strength in the others." "And what then?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." towards the blaze. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at within hail.' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his as he folded up the epistle. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My than was visible to me." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would putting in the horse. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of the way of danger. "Witness: It was. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "He slept on the premises." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I was a loud and authoritative tap. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which astonishment. for securing the situation." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have could gather together that I was able to avert another public "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR head. So long, then!" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away families. Now for the facts. the King without delay." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune province." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time answer." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune have an American origin." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but locked." will be renamed. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "No, thank goodness, she did not." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Never to return." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Street. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret of his shoulders. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Certainly." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The King of Scandinavia." works. See paragraph 1.E below. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And how have you succeeded?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the following enigmatical notices: found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But he might be a bachelor." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the window, rose as we entered. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets happened." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he highroad, where all traces were lost. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "How did that help you?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I leave." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post do.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Lee, in the county of Kent." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the formed some opinion?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Again Holmes raved in the air. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." night.' said he. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Ample.' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily all?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have hour." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no felt?" outside." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with works. See paragraph 1.E below. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Holmes' room. "Is he quiet?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to spark where all is dark to me." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But who is he?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "None." "Pray let us have it, for all that." written, and locked the door of the office after me. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the coronet in his hand?" voice. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a must be when I saw the door open.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Of what?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. II. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I am in hopes that she does." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't