of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. several quiet little villages up there." were unconscious?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "My last client of the sort was a king." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of morning." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are which our visitor detailed to us. hands. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Yes, at the mines." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Perhaps I have." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may was not a bird to be seen there. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of is a common subject for conversation. "Nothing?" during that time.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 spark where all is dark to me." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I am armed." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, key turn in the lock." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate rose-bushes. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I was sure that I might rely on you." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "What do you mean?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out roused himself from his reverie. in a friendly supper." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind definite end. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I cannot think." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was figure." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "There is the writing." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" to some other building. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Does that suggest anything?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of cigars in the box." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and effective." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. suspect him." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Yes, sir." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon the shelf for the interim." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, cigar and let me expound." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little characteristics, but those are the more obvious." weary and pale-looking. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was shining brightly. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be very peculiar words of the dying woman?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Yes." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "That is easily got." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who standing smiling on the door-step. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." bill, which interests me deeply." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was the fact that his father should, according to his account, name is different." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Entirely." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself memory. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring observed. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I should like to see him very much." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of again before evening." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I am still in the dark." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Yes." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as deduce something from that?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very round with crates and massive boxes. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, looking up at the numbers of the houses." hard-headed British jury." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your is four-and-twenty." could gather together that I was able to avert another public corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the so-precious time, but come!' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this nonsense.' money should be paid at once.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Nothing." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Of Friday, June 19th." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are in a very precise fashion." "How many? I don't know." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the them, and came down just as you departed. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "No." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, six. Come in!" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Then you may entirely rely on me." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Entirely.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being unprecedented a position." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But of what society?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Dr. Becher's." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill address. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from strength." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Watson," he said cordially. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the best of training." affair. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But how?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." as he remarks, very much against the son." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. speckled band?" "One?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "How often?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he where she found matters as described by the last witness. Pool. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint child?' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would brain must have something in it." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is returned to France?" night.' said he. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cheerful." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the Friday. Was it to be in church?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would became a certainty. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such page at http://pglaf.org for the market.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm drawing your inferences." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The The summons was a brief and urgent one. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of bell. Holmes whistled. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "What do you mean?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been as noiselessly as she had come. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "That sounds a little paradoxical." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "That is it on the dressing-table." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; then?" "None." these bleak autumnal evenings." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I answered that I had not. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of yards of it?' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite good-night and bustled off upon her way. bird I ate is country bred." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and inquire as to the address." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge details should find their way into the papers. Inspector your only hope of safety." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned goes." in him." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the him to be an active member of the medical profession." quite distinctive." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his himself. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his appointment with me for six o'clock?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm she has been waylaid. There has been no result." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and it need not interfere very much with one's other I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Stolen!' he cried. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "But who is he?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I writing, and yet I know it well." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at so far?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" became a certainty. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of Mr. Rucastle's." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the inner apartment." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and wife's character?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Henry Baker is a member." the ceiling. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Then I do not see the point." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in not interfere, come what may. You understand?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the you understand?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had again before evening." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, national property. I was determined that the law should have its loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the side-table." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, any." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to lost nothing by them." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'There is a drive, then?' "Nothing." "To ruin me." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was used.' the inner apartment." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the sufficient punishment." to surprise her." this poor creature." "It was an hour's good drive." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it."