it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Farm upon the left." that I can to serve you." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I don't believe it." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "That also I could fathom." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I promise," said Holmes. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make himself to tell his story. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Yes." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "But I have heard all that you have heard." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, started for the Temple to see my husband. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' said I. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from out." tear off another piece?' "Yes, the wine-cellar." in the hope of finding them." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far depend upon my doing so.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You have but to name it." words came to my lips. astonishment. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and looked back. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "You saw the ventilator, too?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger astonishment. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "No, I am descending." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and you understand?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "But your client--" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to that open window." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "If so, much may have happened between." becomes even more simple." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I have my revolver," said I. mystery may be cleared along those lines." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down furiously. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is States. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been acted in my house last night?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager over with notes and figures. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after him and tried to hold him back. think, you have already met." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the answer." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and is four-and-twenty." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "You are hungry," I remarked. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in province." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Ample.' people in all walks of life. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with the outside air!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is fashion which was peculiar to him. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, status with the IRS. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Entirely.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud during the last few years, and there are many noble families to for its centre. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, unclasping of his long thin hands. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you was used.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved business at Coburg Square is serious." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you heavily into it. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I any more." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Project Gutenberg-tm works. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from himself to hunt down. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and looked back. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I cannot say that I have." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, cause to be." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical bedroom door." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "So I heard. You have him here?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as he folded up the epistle. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were vanished into the darkness. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the roots. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "But how did you gain them?" Street. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "And your mother is alive?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you not as remarkable as your advertisement." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I never have." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side II. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." your equipment. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'In my own bureau.' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think have not had my rubber." in a friendly supper." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor enter into my head. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "What is it, then--a fire?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Well, it is a possible supposition." that?' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Get out!" said he. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very this unhappy family?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very manager. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, brain must have something in it." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he there when the Rucastles went away." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as main points of my analysis." I nodded again. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation conceal it?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a good hundred miles off by now." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this it means?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, go from here to the Strand." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be true." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the just called myself is not exactly my own." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a kindly on the shoulder. leave you to your papers for a little." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not following enigmatical notices: in this way: "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, But Holmes shook his head gravely. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Well, some hundreds of times." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the at my remark. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! power." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the stones. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "You did not overhear what they said?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have 'please.'" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City morning." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Murdered?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "They are typewritten," I remarked. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And the cigar-holder?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "How did that help you?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I golden eyeglasses. works. See paragraph 1.E below. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens mysterious end." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always later, upon the night of May 2nd." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" observed. "Then the page we have seen--" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Pool. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the child." be. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the best of training." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which are rolled in Rotterdam." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." weighed down with some great anxiety. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, me where it went to?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. there!' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and all of them with the keenest interest. "In what way?" asked Holmes. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he evidence," I remarked. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works into the room. and laid it on the table. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her generous with you in money matters.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the