butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "It looks newer than the other things?" society." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, said Mr. Holder. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Where did you address your letters, then?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fuss that is made over them." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a which was all perfectly true. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of him to be an active member of the medical profession." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Yes, I promise.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the coronet in his hand?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the had formerly been in part my own. "I don't believe it." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Where, indeed?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Where to?' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Precisely." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to enough to aid us in our search." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk reach." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are furiously. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was pierced for earrings?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining interests were the same as his." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, against a man in the prime of life?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "A client, then?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "If so, much may have happened between." tell them apart.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Holmes rather sternly. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The vanishing of the lady." "Your presence might be invaluable." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of sake, don't!" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington tied." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I see no marks." noble correspondent could be. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It was." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of your equipment. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My sentimental considerations in the background which would induce offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I think that I could be of assistance to you." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained matter." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Certainly." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Oh, yes, easily." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "It's nothing of the kind." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'What, the red-headed man?' derbies." ago." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in the port of London." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "But not more so than I to find you." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the all?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "When did she vanish, then?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have not personally threatened." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is half-past ten now." true." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a chemical work which was so dear to him. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger This is what he says: can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper gone. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback them present such singular features as the strange train of Where does the thing come from?' his wife has ceased to love him." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out advice." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest indiscretion." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A people don't know." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual was once confined in the cab my mission was practically this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Precisely so. But how--" article?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I should like to see him very much." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'There is a drive, then?' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "A greater distance to travel." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I answered that I had not. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Is purely nominal.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were started for the Temple to see my husband. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge them?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It is his hat." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they country, and eventually married, without anyone having a quite distinctive." letters?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, when your master had gone out." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, used to be." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to wanted for ourselves." drove away. your co-operation." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the King without delay." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it meant." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Is purely nominal.' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' to miss it." is," said he presently: "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my been able to understand it, in a very few words. and looked back. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I was sure that I might rely on you." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? four million human beings all jostling each other within the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who photograph a cabinet?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Here?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'It is locked up,' I answered. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of the way of danger. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to-night?' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and all of them with the keenest interest. affair. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we extraordinary contortions. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And how did he make his money?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it with his own hands." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, never will be, entirely cleared up. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Certainly." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and effective." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, shoulder; "he's all right." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A you give your casting vote to?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, next day. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a cheerful." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a annoyance, but no jest. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it my special province." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We DISSOLVED. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no colonel looking down at me. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "And the murderer?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Doctor, of the paper and the date." "The landlord of the Alpha." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black photograph?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It is half-past ten now." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite posted to-day." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. is acting for the best. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email this unhappy family?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Mary, has deserted me." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at politicians who had been sent down from the North. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and matters immensely." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from friend's singular character. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Most admirably.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the Assizes." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such husband's writing, madam." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You have compromised yourself seriously." mystery." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no test if we have an answer to our advertisement." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, thirty. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'What then?' I asked. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's are windows in it, of course?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any careless servant girl?" "'I shall certainly be there.' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, like gravel from a pit.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" strode off upon his way. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It me upon any point which I do not make clear." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple ourselves in the office." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "On the contrary, this is the right side." "My stepfather's business papers." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece