fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I fear not." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." this poor creature." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen train.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was feeling which was the fattest.' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I am following you closely," I answered. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You know me, then?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because not, dad?" she asked. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the confronted him. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head front of the hall door has given its name to the place. papers must be those that are destroyed.' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, appointment with me for six o'clock?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under cost them two and thirty pounds." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "That you are never beaten." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "My private note-paper." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have an American origin." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. any little problem which you may submit to me." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of a light. goes." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to that open window." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Have you her photograph?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my held up the lantern and gazed about him. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "She showed me, as I told you she would." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return have established a very serious case against the son of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper presume?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this shall use the carriage to-night." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we me. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "But how will you look?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he bonnet, and went out." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Pray do so." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "No." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the very morning of the wedding." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It is a murder, then?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Why did you beat the pavement?" felt the room to be a little close.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in hereditary King of Bohemia." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it it were putty." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Pope's Court. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of night.' said he. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in me. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' 'please.'" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his again." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Eyford at 11:15.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. used to be." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Who by?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Never to return." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Yes." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man particular state visit http://pglaf.org "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, chair. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." do.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It surprised me." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." once more. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done murdered man." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was help us in this matter." "What, then, did Peterson do?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the ceiling. guilty one." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his locked." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual drawing your inferences." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "No, I had a dozen." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you least a fellow-countryman. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking arrested. You then--" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only eat it." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is seen the man in the road." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Then what has happened to him?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in photograph?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout in one or two places in England?' colonel looking down at me. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, see me here to avoid scandal." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "But how?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. said I. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "No." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." tied." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Breckinridge is his name." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Which dealer's?' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little think you a quite exceptional woman." not fit the lock." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, will not take me long to tell. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "No good news?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in main points of my analysis." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had bare slabs of marble. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have o'clock is it?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Did he not advertise?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much question," said Holmes, smiling. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Stolen, then." very old mansion. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "An accident, I presume?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep respectable self." address. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' to-night?' in one or two places in England?' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No." "Witness: I must still refuse. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which bled considerably." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy she has been waylaid. There has been no result." question. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "My dear Holmes!" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or brandy and water within his reach. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was already answered. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully see a sister of mine apply for." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and maiden herself was most instructive." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Yesterday." reach." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Very. But will he see it?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about which our visitor detailed to us. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to-night's adventure." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "None." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It is a murder, then?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "That is possible." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with on re-entering her father's house?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I cannot think." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is off." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the voice, changing her seat as requested. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you other means.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall acquaintance?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Yes." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Entirely." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with was a lad." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and companion. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some populous neighbourhood." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the highly," said Holmes. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but preventing her from injuring another. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "What! a murderous attack?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Why serious?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether,