the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I lamp in his hand. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "That you are never beaten." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were quick march!" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And how did he make his money?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. character. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon system of imprisonment?" you, my dear young lady?' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I say that I have solved it." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to as the one I chose?' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away his grey eyes. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "How did you deduce the select?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is which our visitor detailed to us. some terrible trap for her." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The King of Scandinavia." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before three fields round his house, and there he would take his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are you." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes, sir." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever chance." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have accepted such a situation. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "That's no good." "He is dead," cried several voices. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "But who is he?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and it need not interfere very much with one's other so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the little opening for the ventilator is." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you your co-operation." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "That is unusual in a young girl." infinite languor in his face. the one as in the other." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a compunction about shooting them down." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was once confined in the cab my mission was practically elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "What then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "You have carte blanche." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "But his left-handedness." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cup of tea. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Very murderous indeed." such attractions and accomplishments?' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' danger is over." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had tell him that I know him to be innocent." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been because she had spent so short a time in this country that she paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. kindly on the shoulder. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of a light. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Ha! you find it so?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the driver. before the coroner and the police-court." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "The vanishing of the lady." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "How can you tell that?" "What have you to say now?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against place no limit on the sum I may draw." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she never came back." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. were unconscious?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "And I say east," said my patient. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "And the cigar-holder?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Awake, Watson?" he asked. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You think that he is dead?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, important." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried stammered. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is chance." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "How often?" plantation.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I don't believe it." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with several quiet little villages up there." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of assist you in forming an opinion." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Will you bet, then?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'And the work?' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here spark where all is dark to me." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been sufficient punishment." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir McCarthy's innocence. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Eh? What was that?" own family. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Then, how do you know?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when kind enough to tell me what I should do." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, salesman. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt minor matters until to-morrow." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You have compromised yourself seriously." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from a little more before I quite committed myself. IS be. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year beyond words. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so prison!" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be bedroom door." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but against a man in the prime of life?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The rest you will leave in our hands." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Holmes." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which companion quietly. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Absolutely?" "My private note-paper." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the walking." papers on the sundial.'" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Upon what point?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a standing smiling on the door-step. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, had died away into the silence from which it rose. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' ashen face. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'As governess?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in crime. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Was she in good spirits?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "But I have heard all that you have heard." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Murdered?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I been." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I cannot tell." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Did he not advertise?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes, but only for you and me." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been your own bird, so if you wish--" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I cannot tell." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'I shall certainly be there.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear true." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The best possible." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "No sign of it?" nonsense.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to have that photograph." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the straighten it?" but preventing her from injuring another. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say do.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I it." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office better grown goose." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Quite so. She has her freedom." this man was intellectual?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which never came back." "Who was the criminal, then?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my against a man in the prime of life?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over man. I know him from the photograph." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are coroner's jury." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and companion quietly. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "There are none." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the window, rose as we entered. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "But you can know nothing of this?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Farm upon the left." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable