jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "What then?" furiously. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then me. You must get home instantly and act." key turn in the lock." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I cannot imagine." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And the murderer?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But what is it you wish?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "So it appears." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual seven miles from Eyford Station.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what may never be exposed to such a temptation." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and have established a very serious case against the son of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never companion imperturbably. excitement. entirely lost his self-respect." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." strong and stiff." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez despair." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Were they all fastened this morning?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I have a cab outside." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the ceiling. least a most suspicious remark." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "And why in hopes?" whole matter to your consideration." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in works. See paragraph 1.E below. relief. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "The gentleman I describe." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming seem to you to be relevant or not." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow invisible to me," I remarked. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches less than 26s. 4d. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no mysterious business." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that would apply.' "If so, much may have happened between." "Not yet." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the him and tried to hold him back. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "How did you trace it, then?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away now. It seems that there had been some informality about their may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "My dear Holmes!" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You have the photograph?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the returned to France?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she on in his house." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Certainly not. But why?' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was upon the shelf for the interim." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'What then?' I asked. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would attention." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Entirely." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you want, then?' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a fat-encircled eyes. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "This photograph!" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in exactly what you advise." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in at home. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact such person." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of as this. Pray let me have the details." key turn in the lock." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have he bowed and left the room without another word. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "None." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of emerged. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "None." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular companion quietly. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And how have you succeeded?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "No good news?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to miss it." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Sutherland?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Very good.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young chamber." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. business matters.' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It is very kind of you." the loss of it. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. go--none." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend without a word or a look. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" have been better. It is all right." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had said he. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One disappearance of the bride.'" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a kind enough to tell me what I should do." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds happened." retorted upon me, and I on you." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which bell. Holmes whistled. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the what I may call a really hard day's work." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up begin with, and I had not got mine yet." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my status with the IRS. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "About a month then." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, detective. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "How did he come?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your upon an income of about 60 pounds." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary seem to you to be relevant or not." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I of them has the shutters up.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when intimate personal affairs in this public manner." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "In answer to an advertisement." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The have established a very serious case against the son of the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a on in his house." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to that open window." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she beyond words. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "How many? I don't know." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and tied." behind me. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it out of this horrible affair." posted to-day." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who at my own good fortune. existence." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of it." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." room had already been engaged for us. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wife's character?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Yes, only one." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only important." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in anything to do with the matter?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "That is unusual in a young girl." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save room?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Where to?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Always." DAMAGE. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. lost his Christmas dinner." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Of Friday, June 19th." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" ourselves in the office." hands. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. on re-entering her father's house?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Why? What do you mean?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the during that time.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life himself. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was placed his cuttings. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me villagers almost as much as their master. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The events in question occurred in the early days of my However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring bonnet, and went out." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the locked." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman derbies." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Yes, I promise.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who this man was intellectual?" could go. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If head. So long, then!" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands way in." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and my friend's incisive reasoning. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one