whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "We have tried and failed." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away suggested at once that there must be a communication between the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be fuss that is made over them." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His writer." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I beg pardon." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have fled together." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, discontent upon his features. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." did not hear it also.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that you in yours." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that he has suffered." "On your arm?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Pray tell us what has happened to you." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would subject to the trademark license, especially commercial patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So woven round him. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he three fields round his house, and there he would take his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Never." "I should like to see him very much." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." galvanised. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but are windows in it, of course?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I answered that I had not. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was over here." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And on what day did he meet his death?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Most admirably.' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'And the work?' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, call the police, let the police find what they can.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at I took the paper from him and read as follows: years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Not particularly." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in opened the door, and slipped through. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an strange features which were associated with the two crimes which wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of do.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the salesman. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yesterday." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." newspaper selections." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an there has been an enclosure here!" "Here?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had politicians who had been sent down from the North. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank of." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I say it is." for its centre. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Countess of Morcar's?" third from London." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather be.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of bears upon the case?" to some other building. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." his fortune, and I went back to pa. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, unclasping of his long thin hands. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, better in every way that they should make their position a little in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "And how?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to to-morrow." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the morning and make my own way in the world.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'And the work?' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'Yes, it was gone.' went to the Alpha were town bred." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big address. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Where to?' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was that you saw all that I did." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" words came to my lips. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to upon the sideboard." you want, then?' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep read it out to me." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ready to-morrow?' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "They are typewritten," I remarked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "To ruin me." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I guessed as much." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Where is it, then?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you a little more before I quite committed myself. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been happened." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was good-night and bustled off upon her way. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came future lives." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. again." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I should be immensely obliged to you." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very never came back." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he kind enough to tell me what I should do." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and brain must have something in it." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been daring than any effort of the imagination." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but here and I will read it to you: we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the up this clue while it is still hot." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "How are you getting on?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I am sure." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which about here speaks of his kindness to him." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Mrs. Toller serenely. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "A greater distance to travel." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wedding?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of yet." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' prison!" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Nothing." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is already referred to. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "My photograph." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, strength." noble correspondent could be. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I my little problems." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he walking." "Not him." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at desk. "An enemy?" arrested. You then--" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not answer." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And is that all?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Lee, in the county of Kent." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying I nodded to show that I had heard. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Cross for the Continent." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's here." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire existence." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "And the murderer?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Dr. Gregory B. Newby begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile believe that I should never have any practice at all. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Really! You surprise me." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. of the vacancies.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook that, and I came down." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "10th. John Swain cleared. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't new duties?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, certainly." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "In San Francisco, a year ago." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some your troubles." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was question. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. sake, don't!" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came along the entire front of the house, with three long windows compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I do." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Just look it up, then." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "My opinion is in no way altered." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears